Effect of electrospinning parameters on production of polyvinyl alcohol/polylactic acid nanofiber using a mutual solvent

Abstract

Differences in the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) polymers have attracted much attention today. In this research, the aim is to produce PVA/PLA nanofibers with hydrophilicity and good mechanical properties using a mutual solvent. In this regard, the ability to produce PVA/PLA nanofibers using a mutual solvent was evaluated. The effect of electrospinning parameters on the morphology of nanofibers, hydrophilicity of nanofibers produced by measuring water absorption and contact angle as well as mechanical properties of nanofibers were considered. The results obtained from scanning electron microscopy analyses of the structure of these fibers showed that PVA had the highest viscosity of 5.64 Pa.s and the highest diameter of 260 nm, which decreased the thickness of the nanofibers with increasing PLA. And pure PLA had the lowest mean diameter of 76 nm. In the consideration of the mechanical properties of the prepared nanofibers, it was found that the combination of PLA and PVA nanofibers will lead to overlap the properties of each other and the creation of desirable mechanical properties. Moreover, in the investigation of water absorption and contact angle, it was concluded that the PVA/PLA was fully absorbed in less than 200 seconds and the samples have a contact angle of less than 52°. Finally, it was found that the average diameter of the produced nanofibers was decreased by increasing the voltage and the needle tip to collector distance by considering the PVA/PLA samples with a ratio of 50:50.