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Plateau-Rayleigh Instability Morphology Evolution (PRIME): From Electrospun Core-Shell Polymer Fibers to Polymer
Yu-Jing Chiu1,2, Hsiao-Fan Tseng1, Yu-Ching Lo1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|January 21, 2017
Summary
This study reveals how electrospun core-shell fibers transform into unique hemispherical shapes. This morphology evolution, driven by surface energy reduction, leads to the formation of polymer microbowls.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Electrospun core-shell fibers offer significant potential in diverse applications like tissue engineering and drug delivery.
- The morphological transformation of these fibers remains an underexplored area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphology evolution of electrospun core-shell polymer fibers.
- To understand the driving forces behind fiber shape transformation.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) core-shell fibers using single axial electrospinning.
- In situ observation of fiber morphology changes during annealing on a PS film using optical microscopy.
- Confirmation of transformed structures via selective removal techniques.
Main Results:
- PS/PMMA core-shell fibers undergo significant morphology transformation upon annealing.
- Fibers undulate and sink into the substrate, forming core-shell hemispheres.
- The transformation is driven by the reduction of surface and interfacial energies.
Conclusions:
- The Plateau-Rayleigh instability drives the morphology evolution of electrospun core-shell fibers.
- Annealing induces a transition to lower energy states, forming hemispherical structures.
- This process enables the creation of novel polymer microbowls.
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