Fabrication of thermoset polymer nanofibers by co-electrospinning of uniform core-shell structures

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry Vol. 19; no. 39; pp. 7198 - 7201
• Main Authors: REDDY, C. S, ARINSTEIN, A, AVRAHAMI, R, ZUSSMAN, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; Organic solvents; Core shell structure; Electrospinning; Mechanical properties; Nanofiber; Organic polymers; Defects; Fibers; Oligomers; Ultraviolet radiation; Morphology; Liquid encapsulation; Spinning; Microstructure; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 0959-9428; 1364-5501
• DOI: 10.1039/b916185f

Continuous nanofibers consisting of a thermosetic polymer are described. The fibers were obtained using a two-fluid coaxial electrospinning technique. The type of coaxial electrospinning developed in this research is unique, in that the core structure is fabricated from a 100% volume fraction oligomer liquid encapsulated within a polymer shell, instead of a polymer dissolved in organic/aqueous solvents, as is customarily used. The core mass is subsequently polymerized by UV radiation. Post-spinning dissolving of the polymer shell yields defect-free thermosetic polymer nanofibers that have uniform morphology and diameter (50-800 nm). These nanofibers exhibit superior mechanical properties in comparison to those observed in the material bulk form.