Production of hydrophobic surfaces in biodegradable and biocompatible polymers using polymer solution electrospinning

In this work, the electrospinning of polymer solutions was used to produce mats with hydrophobic properties from a series of commercially available biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, such as poly(3‐hydroxybutyric acid‐co‐3‐hydroxyvaleric acid), poly(DL ‐lactide), polycaprolactone, and poly(L ‐lactide). According to the results, to obtain hydrophobic properties, bead‐like morphologies were the most adequate. For obtaining this type of morphology, the polymer concentration of the electrospun solution had to be sufficiently low, although below a limit concentration it was not possible to obtain hydrophobic surfaces. The results also showed that the crystallinity of the materials may influence the final hydrophobic properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Transparent poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) nanofibers

Nanofibers of n‐Butyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate copolymer [P(BA‐co‐MMA)] were produced by electrospinning in this study. P(BA‐co‐MMA) was synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The structural and thermal properties of copolymers and electrospun P(BA‐co‐MMA) nanofibers were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–Attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR), Nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR–ATR spectra and NMR spectrum revealed that BA and MMA had effectively participated in polymerization. The morphology of the resulting nanofibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, indicating that the diameters of P(BA‐co‐MMA) nanofibers were strongly dependent on the polymer solution dielectric constant, and concentration of solution and flow rate. Homogeneous electrospun P(BA‐co‐MMA) fibers as small as 390 ± 30 nm were successfully produced. The dielectric properties of polymer solution strongly affected the diameter and morphology of electrospun polymer fibers. The bending instability of the electrospinning jet increased with higher dielectric constant. The charges inside the polymer jet tended to repel each other so as to stretch and reduce the diameter of the polymer fibers by the presence of high dielectric environment of the solvent. The extent to which the choice of solvent affects the nanofiber characteristics were well illustrated in the electrospinning of [P(BA‐co‐MMA)] from solvents and mixed solvents. Nanofiber mats showed relatively high hydrophobicity with intrinsic water contact angle up to 120°. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4264–4272, 2013     

Preparation and delayed release of poly(lactide‐ co‐glycolide)/ketoconazole composite fiber mats

In this study, slow release materials–poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) ultrafine fiber mats containing different ketoconazole (KCZ) contents were prepared and their release behaviors were investigated in vitro. PLGA/KCZ ultrafine fiber mats were prepared via electrospinning and characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis. The slow release properties of PLGA/KCZ fiber mats in vitro were studied by measuring the concentrations of KCZ dissolved in the phosphate buffered solution (pH = 4.5) at a programmed time. Results indicated that KCZ could be dispersed in PLGA very well in a wide range of KCZ content from 10 to 100% with respect to PLGA. Most KCZ in PLGA fibers were physically dispersed. The thermal decomposition temperature of PLGA was lowered due to the incorporation of KCZ. With increased drug concentration, the release amount would increase in unit time. The two‐stage releases would be sustained to achieve the effective utilization of KCZ. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyacrylonitrile solution homogeneity study by dynamic shear rheology and the effect on the carbon fiber tensile strength

Poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PAN‐co‐MAA)/N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions were prepared and dynamic shear rheology of these solutions were investigated. With increasing stirring time up to 72 h at 70°C, the polymer solution became less elastic (more liquid‐like) with a ～60% reduction in the zero‐shear viscosity. Relaxation spectra of the PAN‐co‐MAA/DMF solutions yield a decrease in relaxation time (disentanglement time, τ_d), corresponding to an about 8% decrease in viscosity average molecular weight. The log‐log plot of G′ (storage modulus) versus G″ (loss modulus) exhibited an increase in slope as a function of stirring time, suggesting that the molecular level solution homogeneity increased. In order to study the effect of solution homogeneity on the resulting carbon fiber tensile strength, multiple PAN‐co‐MAA/DMF solutions were prepared, and the precursor fibers were processed using gel‐spinning, followed by continuous stabilization and carbonization. The rheological properties of each solution were also measured and correlated with the tensile strength values of the carbon fibers. It was observed that with increasing the slope of the G′ versus G″ log‐log plot from 1.471 to 1.552, and reducing interfilament fiber friction during precursor fiber drawing through the addition of a fiber washing step prior to fiber drawing, the carbon fiber strength was improved (from 3.7 to 5.8 GPa). This suggests that along with precursor fiber manufacturing and carbonization, the solution homogeneity is also very important to obtain high strength carbon fiber. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:361–370, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrospinning polymer blend of PLA and PBAT: Electrospinnability–solubility map and effect of polymer solution parameters toward application as antibiotic‐carrier mats

Electrospinning of a biodegradable polymer blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) is reported for the first time. Effects of several solution parameters on electrospinning are explored, including types of single and binary solvents, binary solvent mixing ratio, polymer blend concentration, polymer blending ratio, and loading content of tetrabutyl titanate as a compatibilizer. An electrospinnability–solubility map of the PLA/PBAT blend is firstly developed for the facile selection of a suitable binary solvent system, thus simplifying the laborious, time‐consuming, trial‐and‐error process. A particular binary solvent system derived from good and non‐solvent serves as the most suitable medium for the successful preparation of homogeneous bead‐free electrospun PLA/PBAT nanofibers. It is revealed that the compatibilizer acts not only as a diameter size tuner for the PLA/PBAT fibers but also as a mechanical property enhancer for the immiscible PLA/PBAT electrospun mats. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the drug‐loaded PLA/PBAT fibrous mats suggests their potential application as antibiotic‐carrier mats. Preparation of the composite mats comprising bead‐free fibers with an average size at sub‐micrometer scale is also demonstrated, additionally promoting the possibility of using the PLA/PBAT‐based electrospun mats as a matrix of various additives for a wide range of applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46486.     

Release behavior of freeze‐dried alginate beads containing poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) copolymers

Beads composed of alginate, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), the copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide and methacrylic acid (P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA)), and the copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide, methacrylic acid, and octadecyl acrylate (P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA‐co‐ODA)), were prepared by dropping the polymer solutions into CaCl₂ solution. The beads were freeze‐dried and the release of blue dextran entrapped in the beads was observed in distilled water with time and pH. The degree of release was in the order of alginate bead < alginate/PNIPAM bead ≈ alginate/P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA) bead < alginate/P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA‐co‐ODA) bead. On the other hand, swelling ratios reached steady state within 20 min, and the values were 200–800 depending on the bead composition. The degree of swelling showed the same order as that of release. Among the beads, only alginate/P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA‐co‐ODA) bead exhibited pH‐dependent release. At acidic condition, inter‐ and intraelectrostatic repulsion is weak and P(NIPAM‐co‐MAA‐co‐ODA) could readily be assembled into an aggregate due to the prevailing hydrophobic interaction of ODA. Thus, it could block the pore of bead matrix, leading to a suppressed release. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Environmentally sensitive hydrogels: N‐isopropyl acrylamide/Acrylamide/ Mono‐, Di‐, Tricarboxylic acid crosslinked polymers

Environmentally sensitive hydrogels responsive to various stimuli such as temperature, pH, ionic strength of the medium and the solvent were prepared by using N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM), acrylamide (AAm) and monomers that have various number of carboxylic acid (XA) functionality using N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (Bis) as crosslinker. Hydrogels were prepared via free radical polymerization reaction in aqueous solution. P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm) and p(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm)/XA hydrogels that contain monoprotic crotonic acid (CA) exhibit a lover critical solution temperature (LCST) at 28°C, whereas p(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm)/IA (IA:itaconic acid), and P(NIPAAm‐co‐AAm)/ACA (ACA:acotonic acid) hydrogels exhibit a lover critical solution temperature at 30.7°C and 34.4°C, respectively. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses were performed for the structural and thermal characterizations of the prepared hydrogel. The swelling experiments as equilibrium swelling percentages by gravimetrically were carried out in different solvents, at different solutions temperature, pH, and ionic strengths to determine their effects on swelling characteristic of hydrogels. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:843–851, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Formation of bead‐free and core–shell superfine electrospinning fibers under the assistance of another polymer and an interfacial compatibilizer

This work presents a new way of preparing bead‐free and core–shell superfine polymer electrospinning fibers under the assistance of another polymer and an interfacial compatibilizer. For the electrospinning of polystyrene (PS)/CHCl₃ solution, the bead‐free fiber cannot be obtained until the PS concentration is above 0.25 g/mL but its average diameter is above 10 μm. Using polyamide 6 (PA6) as an additive, the critical concentration capable of forming bead‐free fiber greatly decreased and core–shell fibers with PA6 as the core and PS as the shell were obtained due to the driving effect of high spinability of PA6. The introduction of a copolymer (PS‐co‐TMI) of styrene (St) and 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzene isocyanate (TMI) can react with amine of PA6 to form the copolymer of PS and PA6 as an interfacial compatibilizer. As a result, it can further enhance the dispersion and deformation of minor component PA6 into uniform microfiber core, and drive PS to uniformly cover the surface of PA6 fibers, and finally form bead‐free and core–shell superfine fibers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1437–1444 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic fiber coatings by DC‐biased AC‐electrospinning

Mesh‐like fiber mats of polystyrene (PS) were deposited using DC‐biased AC‐electrospinning. Superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles greater than 150° and gas fraction values of up to 97% were obtained. Rheological study was conducted on these fiber surfaces and showed a decrease in shear stress when compared with a noncoated surface (no slip), making them excellent candidates for applications requiring the reduction of skin‐friction drag in submerged surfaces. We have also shown that addition of a second, low‐surface energy polymer to a solution of PS can be used to control the fiber internal porosity depending on the concentration of the second polymer. Contact‐angle measurements on mats consisting of porous and nonporous fibers have been used to evaluate the role of the larger spaces between the fibers and the pores on individual fibers on superhydrophobicity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐co‐HFP) hollow fiber membranes prepared from PVDF‐co‐HFP/PEG‐600Mw/DMAC solution for membrane distillation

Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐co‐HFP) hollow fiber membranes were prepared by using the phase inversion method. The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG‐600Mw) with different concentrations (i.e., 0, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, and 20 wt %) as a pore former on the preparation and characterization of PVDF‐co‐HFP hollow fibers was investigated. The hollow fiber membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and porosity measurement. It was found that there is no significant effect of the PEG concentration on the dimensions of the hollow fibers, whereas the porosity of the hollow fibers increases with increase of PEG concentration. The cross‐sectional structure changed from a sponge‐like structure of the hollow fiber prepared from pure PVDF‐co‐HFP to a finger‐like structure with small sponge‐like layer in the middle of the cross section with increase of PEG concentration. A remarkable undescribed shape of the nodules with different sizes in the outer surfaces, which are denoted as “twisted rope nodules,” was observed. The mean surface roughness of the hollow fiber membranes decreased with an increase of PEG concentration in the polymer solution. The mean pore size of the hollow fibers gradually increased from 99.12 to 368.91 nm with increase of PEG concentration in polymer solution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Novel core‐sheath antimicrobial nanofibrous mats

The poor mechanical properties of electrospun materials remain one of the major hindrances toward their practical application. In this study, we report the synthesis of core‐sheath nanofibrous mats to enhance the mechanical properties of an antimicrobial polymer nanofiber for application in filter media. This objective was achieved via coaxial electrospinning of poly[styrene‐co‐N‐(N′,N′‐dimethyl‐3‐aminopropyl)maleimide] as the sheath which is an antimicrobial polymer and nylon 6 polymer for the core which is well reported for exceptional mechanical properties. Extensive characterization of these fibers was performed using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy as well as attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy to provide evidence of the core‐sheath morphology. Antimicrobial evaluation was also carried out on the fabricated fibers via the live/dead fluorescence technique. This was done to determine if the poly[styrene‐co‐N‐(N′,N′‐dimethyl‐3‐aminopropyl)maleimide] retained its antimicrobial activity. The fibers were found to be effective against the Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25925) and Gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853). Subsequent tensile testing and filtration experiments provided evidence that the incorporation of the nylon core improved mechanical properties of the nanofiber mats. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46303.     

Effect of Thermoplastic Starch and Photocrosslinking on the Properties and Morphology of Electrospun Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) Mats

Nonwoven fibrous mats of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were successfully prepared through the electrospinning technique using a mixed solvent system of isopropyl alcohol and water. The influence of TPS on the morphology and structure of the fibrous mats was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The addition of TPS to EVOH resulted in beaded electrospun fibers. The SEM images revealed decreasing average width of the blend fibers and increasing quantity of beads with an increased TPS content. EVOH/TPS fibers mats irradiated under ultraviolet light using sodium benzoate as a photosensitizer were also prepared. The size and number of beads were diminished in the photocrosslinked EVOH/TPS fiber mats. The as-spun and crosslinked EVOH/TPS fiber mats exhibit a superior fluid uptake ability (with 20 wt% of TPS) and superior barrier properties (with 20 and 40 wt% of TPS) in comparison to those observed in neat electrospun EVOH mats. These properties are of particular interest for use in dressing materials for the medical industry and for use in multilayer plastic fuel tanks for the automotive industry, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:474–480, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Carbon nanotubes‐polymer nanocomposites for controlled heating materials

Nanocomposites of modified carbon nanotubes (CNT) and either polyurethane (PU), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), or silicone materials were synthetized and characterized for thermal mat application. The obtained results revealed that the polymer used as a matrix had an impact on the electrical resistance of the mats. The lowest results of 32 Ω of resistance was registered with silicone‐based mats containing 5 wt % of CNT. For the same CNT content the mats based on PVAc and PU displayed values of 55 and 60 Ω, respectively. The low resistance properties of silicone‐based materials were due principally to the good compatibility of both polymer and functionalized CNT. Because of the low resistance values, this mat was subjected to thermovision analysis revealing that the samples reached temperature of about 60 °C in 9 min and 70 °C after 27 min of 27 V of applied potential. The results showed an almost uniform temperature distribution in the samples’ surface with some high and low temperature spots, which were attributed to nonuniform distribution of CNT in the polymer matrix. In summary, all the obtained results confirm that silicone‐CNT are very promising materials that can be used as low‐voltage heating mats. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44194.     

Synthesis and electrospun fiber mats of low Tg poly(propylene fumerate‐co‐propylene maleate)

Many publications have examined the biodegradable polymer poly(propylene fumate) (PPF) for use in tissue engineering applications. We have examined a similar crosslinkable polymer system, poly(propylene fumerate)‐co‐(propylene maleate) (PPFcPM), derived from maleic anhydride (MA) and 1,2‐propylene diol (PD). This copolymer system uses a less expensive monomer as well as leads to varied ratios of fumerate to maleate groups, allowing tuning of the crosslinked polymer properties such as degradation rate. Two different reaction conditions were used to synthesize the copolymer from MA and PD. In the first case (Method A), toluene was used as a solvent to azeotropically (85°C) remove water to drive the acid catalyzed esterification reaction. In the second case (Method B), the initial ring opening reaction was conducted, followed by addition of catalyst and removal of water to produce polymer of higher molecular weight. Both polymer systems had glass transition temperatures (T_g) below room temperature. The low T_g PPFcPM was dissolved in chloroform along with the photoinitiator phenylbis(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl)‐phosphine oxide (BAPO) and electrospun. The polymer fibers were crosslinked soon after they formed to produce noncalendaring 3D porous scaffolds. Control experiments without the BAPO photoinitiator did not produce fiber mats. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Biodegradable composites of poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) reinforced by poly(lactic acid) fibers

Biodegradable composites of poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) (PBSA) reinforced by poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers were developed by hot compression and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analyzer, and tensile testing. The results show that PBSA and PLA are immiscible, but their interface can be improved by processing conditions. In particular, their interface and the resulting mechanical properties strongly depend on processing temperature. When the temperature is below 120 °C, the bound between PBSA and PLA fiber is weak, which results in lower tensile modulus and strength. When the processing temperature is higher (greater than 160 °C), the relaxation of polymer chain destroyed the molecular orientation microstructure of the PLA fiber, which results in weakening mechanical properties of the fiber then weakening reinforcement function. Both tensile modulus and strength of the composites increased significantly, in particular for the materials reinforced by long fiber. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43530.     

Effect of fiber orientation on viscoelastic properties of polymer matrix composites subjected to thermal cycles

Fibers in polymer composites can be designed in various orientations for their usage in service life. Various fiber orientated polymer composites, which are used in aeroplane and aerospace applications, are frequently subjected to thermal cycles because of the changes in body temperatures at a range of −60 to 150°C during flights. It is an important subject to investigate the visco‐elastic properties of the thermal cycled polymer composite materials which have various fiber orientations during service life. Continuous fiber reinforced composites with a various fiber orientations are subjected to 1,000 thermal cycles between the temperatures of 0 and 100°C. Dynamic mechanic thermal analysis (DMTA) experiments are carried out by TA Q800 type equipment. The changes in glass transition temperature (T_g), storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E′′) and loss factor (tan δ) are inspected as a function of thermal cycles for different fiber orientations. It was observed that thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the polymer composites were remarkably changed by thermal cycles. It was also determined that the composites with [45°/−45°]_s fiber orientation presented the lowest dynamic mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fluconazole release through semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels based on chitosan,acrylic acid,and citraconic acid

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels with different compositions of chitosan (Cs), acrylic acid, and citraconic acid were synthesized via free‐radical polymerization with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker. The variations of the swelling percentages of the hydrogels with time, temperature, and pH were determined, and Cs–poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogels were found to be most swollen at pH 7.4 and 37°C. Scanning electron micrographs of Cs–PAA and Cs–P(AA‐co‐CA)‐1 (Cs‐poly(acrylicacid‐co‐citraconir acid)^?1) were taken to observe the morphological differences in the hydrogels. Although the less swollen hydrogel, Cs–P(AA‐co‐CA)‐1, had a sponge‐type structure, the most swollen hydrogel, Cs–PAA, displayed a uniform porous appearance. Fluconazole was entrapped in Cs–P(AA‐co‐CA)‐1 and Cs–PAA hydrogels, and the release was investigated at pH 4.0 and 37°C. The kinetic release parameters of the hydrogels (the gel characteristic constant and the swelling exponent) were calculated, and non‐Fickian diffusion was established for Cs–PAA, which released fluconazole much more slowly than the Cs–P(AA‐co‐CA)‐1 hydrogel. A therapeutic range was reached at close to 1 h for both hydrogels. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and properties of antibacterial,biocompatible core–shell fibers produced by coaxial electrospinning

Coaxial electrospinning is a method for producing fibrous mats with optional features, such as antibacterial properties, controllable release, and hydrophobicity based on shell materials. Because these features are important in biomedical applications, in this study, biocompatible hydrophobic polymer (polycaprolactone) and hydrophilic polymer [poly(vinyl alcohol)] with silver nanoparticles loaded in the core solution were coaxially electrospun. The effect of silver addition on the conductivity and viscosity of the solutions, chemical structure of the fiber mats, mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophobicity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), silver release, and antibacterial properties were investigated. Fibers with silver exhibited less porosity and a lower WVTR and a greater contact angle than the fibers without silver. Furthermore, the core–shell fibers reduced the burst release of silver and successfully prevented the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Therefore, it seems that these fibers are suitable for providing electrospun mats with long‐term antibacterial properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44979.     

Characterization of PVC‐soy protein nonwoven mats prepared by electrospinning

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most common polymers used in the water treatment industry due to outstanding hydrophobicity and mechanical strength. Generating eco‐friendly membranes derived from natural polymers has gained attention, particularly for water purification and producing potable water. In this study, nonwoven mats were prepared by electrospinning polymer solutions. Mats with a tailorable hydrophilicity were prepared by electrospinning solution mixtures containing PVC and an eco‐friendly, hydrophilic natural polymer: soy protein. As the viscosity of the solution decreased, the average fiber diameter, and average pore surface area reduced. However, when the PVC concentration remained constant and the soy protein concentration increased, the viscosity decreased and average fiber diameter became reduced, while the average pore diameter remained relatively constant. The mats with volumetric ratios of PVC:soy protein of 85:15 and 80:20 displayed optimal characteristics suitable for mat fabrication based on the fiber diameter and average pore surface area. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2737–2744, 2018     

Improvement of carbon nanotube dispersion in electrospun polyacrylonitrile fiber through plasma surface modification

In this study, surfaces of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were functionalized with poly(hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PHFBA) thin film using a rotating-bed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method without imparting any defects on their surfaces. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun polymer fiber mats and composite fiber mats with CNTs and functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) were prepared. The wettability and chemical and morphological properties of the synthesized fiber mats were investigated, and the dispersion of CNTs and f-CNTs in the polymer matrix was compared according to the contact angle results of electrospun polymer mats. According to the chemical and morphological characterization results, PHFBA-coated CNTs were dispersed more uniformly in the polymer matrix than the uncoated CNTs. The f-CNTs/PAN composite fiber mat exhibits a lower surface energy than the pristine CNTs/PAN fiber mat. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47768.