Formation and characterisation of biobased poly(butylene succinate) electrospun nanofibre scaffolds

Abstract

This study demonstrates the fabrication of nonwoven nano and micro fibrous mats of biobased poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by an electrohydrodynamic processing (electrospinning). The effects of polymer concentration applied electric field, solvent system on the morphology of the scaffolds were investigated. Optimal conditions for a stable electrospinning process were identified, with an effective solvent system chloroform/formic acid providing improved solubility and facilitating the production of uniform nano-sized fibres. A variety of fibrous morphologies was obtained, ranging from 0.17 µm to 4.54 µm in fibre diameter and 1.12–13.52 µm in pore diameter. It was found that co-solvent addition significantly affects solution properties and resultant fibre and pore sizes, while the intensity of the electric field appeared to play a less significant role due to the predominance of solution properties. Electrospinning did not alter chemical and thermal properties of PBS, but electrospinning and co-solvent presence reduced the polymer's crystallinity. These insights enhance our understanding of biobased PBS electrospinning and could potentially extend the range of applications for these fibres towards a more sustainable sector of polymer nonwovens, replacing the dependency from petroleum-based compounds.