Electrospun Hybrid Soy Protein/PVA Fibers

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 295; no. 8; pp. 763 - 773
• Main Authors: Cho, Daehwan, Nnadi, Olivia, Netravali, Anil, Joo, Yong Lak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 11.08.2010; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biodegradability; biodegradable; Electrospinning; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; green fibers; Heating; nanofibers; Natural polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polyvinyl alcohols; Proteins; Shear viscosity; Technology of polymers; Viscosity; Viscoelasticity; biodegradable; Polymer blends; Electrospinning; Thermal denaturation; Nanofiber; Protein isolate; Experimental study; nanofibers; Soy protein; Polyvinylalcohol; green fibers; Thermal history; Morphology; proteins; Aqueous solution; Spinnability
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201000161

Rheological behavior and spinnability of biodegradable materials based on SPI and PVA were studied for the production of electrospun fibers. pH level, processing temperature, and heating time were adjusted to investigate the effects of denaturing of soy protein on the rheology of SPI/PVA solutions. The results show that zero shear viscosity and degree of shear thinning of the SPI solution can be controlled by adjusting pH level and thermal treatment. The continuous production of uniform SPI/PVA fibers was achieved by electrospinning. The presence and amount of soy protein in the electrospun fibers was determined by EMPA and elemental analysis, confirming that the SPI was well incorporated into the PVA and remained in the electrospun fibers. The rheological properties of soy protein/PVA solutions have been studied. The results have been used to optimize the continuous production of uniform soy protein/PVA nanofibers by electrospinning.