Characteristics and 3D formation of PVA and PEO electrospun nanofibers with embedded urea |
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| Authors: | Ibrahim Hassounah Nader Shehata Amanda Hudson Bruce Orler Kathleen Meehan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences (ICTAS), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia;2. The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia;3. Department of Engineering Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt;4. Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia |
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| Abstract: | The behavior of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers embedded with urea is studied as a function of various process parameters. Our results show that three‐dimensional nanofiber networks can be obtained when high concentrations of urea in the solution are used during electrospinning. The nanofibers are characterized using both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The stability of the nanofiber as a function of electric field has also been studied. The successful formation of three‐dimensional nanofiber networks can open new trends toward applications in fertilizers containing nanofibers in the nanoagricultural field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39840. |
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| Keywords: | electrospinning nanostructured polymers biodegradable urea fibers |
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