Electrospinning of polycarbonate nanofibers with solvent mixtures THF and DMF

Abstract

The current work demonstrates the electrospinning of polycarbonate dissolved in solvent mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethylformamide (DMF) to obtain fibers on a nanoscale. The solvent mixtures played a significant role on the morphology of the fibers. The spun fibers showed the characteristics of strong networking with each other as the THF ratio was increased in the solvent mixtures (like 60:40, 70:30 of THF:DMF). The electrostatic voltage, viscosity and surface tension also showed major effects on the fiber morphology and formation of beads. At lower THF and DMF ratios and lower spinning voltages, the bead revealed a globular mushroom shape, while at higher ratios and higher voltages, the beads formed the shape of spindle. The microstructures of the electrospun polycarbonate fibers were quantitively investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope as a function of processing variables.