Flexible electrospun PVDF/WO3 nanocomposite fibers for piezoelectric energy harvesting applications

The emerging field of energy harvesting depends on the electrically conductive materials that are highly flexible and deformable. The morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and piezoelectric output studies of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF/WO₃ nanorods composite nanofibers were investigated for the piezoelectric energy harvesting applications. There is a significant enhancement in the piezoelectric β phase after the addition of the WO₃ nanorods into the PVDF. The elemental composition of the PVDF/WO₃ nanorods composite nanofibers is confirmed by the W, O, F, and C elements. The thermal stability of the WO₃ nanorods added composite nanofibers was increased up to 30°C in reference to TGA responses. Based on the mechanical test, the maximum tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were enhanced around by 220 and 246% for the WO₃-integrated PVDF nanofibers. Furthermore, the piezoelectric coefficient of 18.98 pC/N is achieved for the composite PVDF nanofibers which are mainly due to the improvement of the electroactive β phase. The piezoelectric energy harvesting responses were found an output voltage of 2.1 V based on the microstrain set-up. Thus, these WO₃ nanorods incorporated PVDF nanofibers keep the great potential for the piezoelectric energy harvesting, wearable electronics and biomedical applications.     

Magnetic polyacrylonitrile-Fe@FeO nanocomposite fibers - Electrospinning, stabilization and carbonization

Uniform and bead-free pure polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and its magnetic polymer nanocomposite (PNC) fibers reinforced with different core-shell Fe@FeO nanoparticles (NPs) loadings are prepared using electrospinning method. The morphology of the resulting products is correlated to the corresponding rheological behaviors of the pure PAN and PAN/Fe@FeO solutions. The diameter of the PAN fibers is linearly related to the polymer solution concentration. However, with a fixed PAN concentration of 10 wt%, the Fe@FeO NP loading shows a negligible effect on the morphology of the PNC fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate an enhanced thermal stability of the PNC fibers than that of the pure PAN fibers. Magnetic carbon nanocomposite (MCNC) fibers are prepared through the stabilization and carbonization of the electrospun PNC fibers. The effects of the heating procedures, including the stabilization and carbonization temperature and time, on the fiber morphology are systematically investigated. Both short and long MCNC fibers could be easily produced by changing the heat procedures. Room temperature magnetic properties of the nanocomposite fibers based on different heating procedures are also studied in this work.     

Flame‐retardant fabric systems based on electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers

To examine the feasibility of developing flame‐retardant‐textile coated fabric systems with electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposites, fiber webs coated on cotton substrates were developed to impart‐fire retardant properties. The morphology of the polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The flame‐retardant properties of coated fabric systems with different nanoparticle contents were assessed. The flame retardancy of the boric acid coated fabric systems was evaluated quantitatively with a flammability test apparatus fabricated on the basis of Consumer Product Safety Commission 16 Code of Federal Regulations part 1610 standard and also by thermogravimetric analysis. The 0.05 wt % boric acid nanocomposite fiber web coated on pure cotton fabric exhibited an increment in flame‐spreading time of greater than 80%, and this indicated excellent fire protection. Also, the coated fabric systems with 0.05% boric acid nanocomposite fiber webs exhibited a distinct shift in the peak value in the thermal degradation profile and a 75% increase in char formation in the thermooxidative degradation profile, as indicated by the results of thermogravimetric analysis. The results show the feasibility of successfully imparting flame‐retardant properties to cotton fabrics through the electrospinning of the polymer material with boric acid nanoparticles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Continuous yarns from electrospun fibers

A technique for making continuous uniaxial fiber bundle yarns from electrospun fibers is described. The technique consists of spinning onto a water reservoir collector and drawing the resulting non-woven web of fibers across the water before collecting the resulting yarn. Yarns from electrospun fibers of poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinylidene difluoride) and polyacrylonitrile are used to illustrate the process of yarn formation and fiber alignment within the yarn. A theoretical production rate of 180 m of yarn per hour for a single needle electrospinning setup makes the process suitable for lab-scale production of electrospun yarns.     

Template-assisted assembly of electrospun fibers

Ordinarily, the electrospinning process generates one-dimensional fibers which assemble into non-woven membrane structures due to instabilities in the fluid jet. In this paper, an electrospinning procedure is developed that utilizes patterned collectors to produce aligned membranes with designed topological structures. The template-assisted electrospinning approach is demonstrated using polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers to produce patterns including alphanumeric characters and a printed electronic circuit chip, with feature sizes on the order of several hundred microns. The process has a significant impact on micro-manufacturing, and provides the capability for incorporation of oriented fiber materials in patterned micro-composites and electronic components.     

Carbonized electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone/metal hybrid nanofiber composites for electrochemical applications

Electrospinning is a very versatile and efficient method of fabricating nanofibers with the desired properties. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in ethanol solution was electrospun into nanofibers and used as a precursor for the preparation of carbon nanofibers. Cobalt chloride was also incorporated with PVP nanofibers to produce carbon nanofiber composites with enhanced electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties. The surface morphology and physical properties of the electrospun nanofibers, carbonized nanofibers, and their composites were observed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of the carbon nanofiber composites was studied by drop‐casting on a working surface of the screen‐printed carbon electrode and examined by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicated that carbon nanofiber composites were decorated with cobalt nanoparticles and enhanced the charge‐transfer efficiency on the electrode surface. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45639.     

Ultrafine fibers electrospun from biodegradable polymers

Biodegradable poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were electrospun into ultrafine fibers. The technological parameters influencing the spinning process and morphology of the fibers obtained were examined. These parameters included solvent composition, addition of certain organic salts, molecular weight and concentration of the polymers, capillary diameter, air ventilation, and pressure imposed on the surface of the solution as well as electrostatic field. By properly choosing and adjusting these parameters, submicron PLLA and PCL fibers with a narrow diameter distribution were prepared. Scanning electronic microscopy was used to observe the morphology and diameter size of the fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1085–1092, 2003     

Focused deposition of electrospun polymer fibers

Control possibility of the electrospinning process appears to be one of the most challenging tasks in the manufacturing of fibrous structures. At the same time, its versatility and simplicity make electrospinning one of the most popular nanotechnology method for the production of one-dimensional nanostructures. In this study, focused electrospinning of nylon, polylactic acid-copoly-caprolactone (PLACL), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) fibers is thoughtfully studied. It has been found that electric field modification by electrostatic lenses, capillary-nozzle tip-to-collector electrode distance, and polymer-solvent composition are the critical parameters to achieve small deposition spots with good fibers quality. Upon optimization, nylon, PLACL, and PVC fibers deposition to fabricate a confined area with less than 4 mm, diameter and fibers stripes with a width of 0.15 mm are achieved. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

The morphology of electrospun polystyrene fibers

Electrospinning is a process of electrostatic fiber formation which uses electrical forces to produce polymer nanofibers from polymer solution. The electrospinning system consists of a syringe feeder system, a collector system, and a high power supplier. The important parameters in the morphology of electrospun polystyrene fibers are concentration, applied voltage, and solvent properties. Higher concentrations of the polymer solution form thicker fibers and fewer beads. When the concentration is 7 wt%, electrospun fibers have an average diameter of 340 nm, but as the concentration of PS increases to 17 wt%, the fiber diameter gradually thickens to 3,610 nm. The fiber morphology under different solvent mixture ratios and solvent mixtures has also been studied.     

Nanoparticle filtration by electrospun polymer fibers

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers with mean diameters in 270-400 nm range were prepared by electrospinning for use as a filter media. Compared to commercial filters made of polyolefin and glass, the fibers of electrospun filters were more uniform in diameter. The performance of electrospun filters was evaluated by measuring the penetration of monodisperse NaCl nanoparticles (below 80 nm in size) through the filters. It was found that electrospun filters could be made which had nanoparticle penetration values comparable to commercial filters but with substantially less filter mass. The penetration of nanoparticles through the electrospun filter media could be reduced by increasing the filter thickness, which is controlled by the collection time during the electrospinning process. Nanoparticle collection by electrostatic forces was found to be negligible for electrospun filters. Filter quality factors and single fiber collection efficiencies were found to be independent of filter thickness for electrospun filters, and the penetration of nanoparticles through electrospun filters was in better agreement with theoretical predictions than was the measured penetration through a commercial filter. This study shows that electrospinning is a promising technology for the production of high performance nanoparticle filters.     

Photoluminescence of polyethylene oxide-ZnO composite electrospun fibers

Polyethylene oxide-ZnO (PEO-ZnO) composite fibers were prepared by electrospinning technique. The structural and optical properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL). Results indicated that PEO passivated the interface defects and quenched the visible emission of ZnO quantum dots by forming O-Zn bonds with ZnO nanoparticles. To investigate the influence of electrospinning voltage on the PL of the composite fibers, the electrospinning voltage was adjusted from 12 to 18 kV. It was shown that the passivation effect of PEO could be enhanced by increasing the electrospinning voltage, and the fibers prepared at higher voltage exhibited more intense ultraviolet emission.     

High stability of photoinduced merocyanine in naphthopyran‐doped polyvinylpyrrolidone electrospun nanofibers

Highly stable merocyanines (MCs) of naphthopyrans based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers have been developed by electrospinning mixtures of PVP and naphthopyran derivatives. The surface and internal features of the electrospun fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The naphthopyrans displayed normal photochromic performance in the polymeric fibers and presented high‐stability MC forms. The one‐dimensional structure of the nanofibers and hydrogen bonds between PVP and MC structures of naphthopyran were responsible for the high degree of stability. The absorption intensities of the most highly stable MC form were 77% compared with the initial intensity after fading for three days. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

加热对ZnS:Mn/聚乙烯吡咯烷酮纳米纤维的影响

通过静电纺丝的方法制备了具有发光特性的ZnS:Mn/聚乙烯吡咯烷酮纳米纤维,电纺溶液中的溶剂是DMF、水、乙醇,使用了扫描电子显微镜,荧光光谱仪,透射电子显微镜,X-射线衍射仪,研究了加热对电纺溶液中含有DMF溶剂的电纺纤维的影响,结果是纤维之间的分离程度提高,纤维内部的纳米粒子变得清晰,纤维内部粒子的结晶度提高,该纤...     

Mechanical properties of composites using ultrafine electrospun fibers

The objective of this research was to show the reinforcing effects of nanofibers in an epoxy matrix and in a rubber matrix using electrospun nanofibers of PBI (polybenzimidazole). The average diameter of the electrospun fibers was around 300 nanometers, which is less than one tenth the diameter and 1/100 the cross sectional area of ordinary reinforcing fibers. The ultrafine fibers provide a very high ratio of surface area to volume. The nanofibers toughened the brittle epoxy resin. The fracture toughness and the modulus of the nanofiber (15 wt%)-reinforced epoxy composite were both higher than for an epoxy composite made with PBI fibrids (17 wt%), which are whisker-like particles. In an elastomeric matrix, The Young's modulus and tear strength of the chopped nanofiber-reinforced styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were higher than those of the pure SBR. Micrographs of the fracture surfaces were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Preparation of electrospun nanofibers of carbon nanotube/polycaprolactone nanocomposite

Multiwalled carbon nanotube/polycaprolactone nanocomposites (MWNT/PCL) were prepared by in situ polymerization, whereby functionalized MWNTs (F-MWNTs) and unfunctionalized MWNTs (P-MWNTs) were used as reinforcing materials. The F-MWNTs were functionalized by Friedel-Crafts acylation, which introduced the aromatic amine (COC₆H₄-NH₂) groups on the side wall. The F-MWNTs were chemically bonded with the PCL chains in the F-MWNT/PCL, as indicated by the appearance of the amide II group in the FT-IR spectrum. The TGA thermograms showed that the F-MWNT/PCL had better thermal stability than PCL and P-MWNT/PCL. The PCL and the nanocomposite nanofibers were prepared by an electrospinning technique. The nanocomposites that contain more than 2 wt% of MWNTs were not able to be electrospun. The bead of the F-MWNT/PCL nanofiber was formed less than that of the P-MWNT/PCL. The nanocomposite nanofibers showed a relatively broader diameter than the pure PCL nanofibers. The MWNTs were embedded within the nanofibers and were well oriented along the axes of the electrospun nanofibers, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.     

Light-emitting nanocomposite CdS-polymer electrospun fibres via in situ nanoparticle generation

We report on the simple, in situ generation of CdS nanocrystals inside electrospun polymer fibres by thermal decomposition of a cadmium thiolate precursor, leading to nanocomposite light-emitting fibres. The modifications induced in the precursor by the thermal decomposition are investigated by a morphological, structural and spectroscopic analysis of the resulting nanocomposite fibres. This approach allows us to overcome nanofabrication difficulties related to disfavoured micro- or nanofluidic molecular flow as given by the direct incorporation of particles in the electrospinning solution. This method therefore enables the synthesis of luminescent, CdS-based composite fibres with emission peaked in the visible range, suitable as building blocks for nanophotonic devices based on light-emitting nanomaterials.     

Biocompatible regenerated cellulose/halloysite nanocomposite fibers

Regenerated cellulose (RC) bio-nanocomposite fibers reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were fabricated through wet spinning technique via ionic liquid as a green solvent. Mechanical properties, water uptake, thermal stability, and cytocompatibility of the obtained fibers were examined. FTIR spectra indicated the uniform dispersion of HNT in the cellulose network. XRD analysis, together with FE-SEM images indicated that HNT was dispersed homogenously in the polymer. Moreover, mechanical and thermal stabilities of the nanocomposite fibers were notably increased through the addition of HNT. Eventually, human skin fibroblasts proliferation on nanocomposite fibers demonstrated good cyto-compatibility. These findings highlight the potential of HNT nanocomposite fibers for biological and biomedical applications.     

Directional self‐assembly by electrospun wet fibers

In this study, we examined directional self‐assembly by electrospun wet fibers. The landing point of the wet fibers was controllable as its trajectory was strictly limited by the adjustment of the parameters of electrospinning. The wet fibers would not stack on the grounded plate in an irregular pattern but in the direction of an electric field in sequence. The preliminary wet fibers deposited and erected on the ground plate to form a controllable circle. The subsequent wet fibers traveled to the top of the circle directionally to organize a mesh tube. The apical circle of the mesh tube was the precise landing point of the subsequent wet fibers. With the wet fibers landing continuously, the mesh tube grew longer and longer. Finally, the controllable circle grew to be the growing mesh tube step by step. We discovered that the mesh tube was assembled by fibers spontaneously in the electrostatic field. In this article, we also try to explain the mechanism of self‐assembly and the formation of wet fibers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43003.