Effect of interaction between hydroxyl group and high valence metal ion impurity on the electrospinnability of polyvinyl alcohols

Abstract

AbstractThe production of superfine polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber is usually much difficult by using the routine spinning, whereas electrospinning is a viable technique as the mechanism of fiber formation is different. In this article, the effects of solution properties in terms of the residual acetyl group and high valence metal ion impurity of PVA on electrospinning were carefully investigated. Both the solution viscosity and the surface tension tendencies with PVA concentration indicated that there existed strong physicochemical interaction besides concentration and molar mass factors. NMR spectra and DSC thermographs indirectly showed that the devoid acetyl group of PVA would promote the physical gelation and the formation of hydrogen bondings, and the physical cross‐linking occurred at high saponification degrees in the presence of high valence metal ion impurity. All the interactions aggravated the electrospinnability. Nevertheless, both removal of high valence metal ion impurity and the selection of PVA with low saponification degrees would be always accessible routes to ensure the PVA electrospinning. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009