Effect of blend composition on the morphology development of electrospun fibres based on PAN/PMMA blends |
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| Authors: | Chang Kook Hong Kap Seung Yang Seung Hyun Oh Jou‐Hyeon Ahn Baik‐Hwan Cho Changwoon Nah |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Applied Chemical Engineering, AMERI, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500‐757, South Korea;2. Department of Polymer‐Nano Science and Technology, Nanomaterials Processing Research Center, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561‐756, South Korea;3. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Engineering Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660‐701, South Korea;4. Jeonbuk Cancer Center, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561‐756, South Korea |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: The aim of the work presented was to determine the morphology development and relevant change in fibre diameter of a binary polymer blend system during an electrospinning process. The size of the fibre diameter is one of the important factors determining the general properties of non‐woven mats formed from electrospun fibres. RESULTS: The morphology and diameter of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends were investigated as a function of blend ratio using scanning electron microscopy. The diameter of the electrospun PAN/PMMA fibres decreased with increasing PMMA content up to 50 wt%, and then increased again with further increase of PMMA. After thermal treatment, the fibres shrank, and an irregularly shaped morphology was observed. CONCLUSION: The electrospinning of incompatible PAN/PMMA blends leads to a microphase‐separation morphology of fibres. A phase inversion occurs at a PMMA content of between 50 and 75 wt%. Due to the phase inversion, the fibre diameter shows a minimum value at the relevant composition. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry |
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| Keywords: | electrospinning PAN/PMMA blend morphology diameter viscosity |
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