Non‐ionic surfactants for enhancing electrospinability and for the preparation of electrospun nanofibers |
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| Authors: | Shu‐Qiang Wang Ji‐Huan He Lan Xu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco‐Textile, Donghua University, Ministry of Education, China;2. College of Science, Donghua University, 1882 Yan‐an Xilu Road, Shanghai 200051, China;3. Modern Textile Institute, Donghua University, 1882 Yan‐an Xilu Road, Shanghai 200051, China |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Electrospinning is widely used to produce nanofibers; however, not every polymer can be electrospun into nanofibers. To enhance electrospinability, much effort has been made in designing new apparatus, such as vibration‐electrospinning, magneto‐electrospinning and bubble‐electrospinning. RESULTS: A representative non‐ionic surfactant, TritonR X‐100, is used to enhance electrospinability. The surfactant is added to an electrospun poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) polymer solution, and a dramatic reduction in surface tension is observed. As a result, a moderate voltage is needed to produce fine nanofibers, which are commonly observed during the conventional electrospinning procedure only at elevated voltage. CONCLUSION: The novel strategy produces smaller nanofibers than those obtained without surfactants, and the minimum threshold voltage is much decreased. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry |
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| Keywords: | electrospinning surfactant PVP nanofibers |
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