Factors affecting PAN nanofibers produced by electro-spinning technique

Abstract

In recent decades, nanotechnology has become one of the most important modern trends in many industries (Subbiah, T, et al: 2005). Spinning and weaving industry is not far from this modern technology. Electro spun nanofibers have become the most common fibers in many vital applications such as sensors, tissue engineering, wound dressings, filtration, pharmacology, optical and electronic applications and other fields (Lannuttia, J, et al: 2007),(Matthew, T, et al: 2008), (Homaeigohar, S. S: 2011), (Lilin, L, et al: 2017) Problem of study: The polyacrylonitrile polymer (PAN) is one of the most widely used organic polymers. It has many properties that qualify it to be applied in various fields (Heikkilä, P. and Harlin, A: 2009). The problem of this study is how to produce fine nanofibers of regular diameters of PAN polymer by electro-spinning technique, in order to be used in various applications. Objectives: This study aims to study the effect of differences in electric voltages, viscosity of the polymeric solution, and other factors on the properties of the produced PAN nanofibers. It aims also to Utilize the (SEM) microscopic technology to study the nature of the produced nanofibers. Methodology: By applying of electro-spinning technique, nanofibers were produced from polyacrylonitrile polymer (PAN) by using different electrical voltages (17 KV, 20 KV, 23 KV), as well as using different viscosity rates of the polymeric solution (5%, 10%, 15%), in order to obtain the most appropriate variables that help to produce the best image of the fibers in terms of accuracy of the diameters, their symmetry, and their purification from polymeric beads that reduce the efficiency of fibers. Results: The results showed that the diameter of the electro spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers increased with increasing of the polymeric solution viscosity and the electrical voltage. The diameter of the fibers decreases with the decrease of the solution viscosity and the electrical voltage. The best parameters that lead to the production of fine PAN nanofibers with similar diameter and good appearance are; electric voltage of 23 kV, and viscosity of 10% of the polymeric solution. This study recommended the necessity of completing research and studies in the field of electro spinning of nanofibers, because of its great importance in nanofibers production with fine diameters, which can be used and applied in many fields of applicationsThis study also focuses on all applications, whose products depend basically on the nanofibers produced by electro-spinning, and highlights a comprehensive statistical presentation of scientific research that has been produced related to this technology. This study showed that since 2000, there were an approximate 20% increase annually in the number of journal articles published around the world that use the concept of "electro-spinning" in their research.