FORMATION OF CORNCOB CELLULOSE FIBER WITH UNIFORM MORPHOLOGY IN ELECTROSPINNING BY USING Cu(OAc)2 AND METHYL HEXADECANOATE

Abstract

"Ultrafine corncob cellulose fibers with uniform morphology were electrospun, in the presence of Cu(OAc)2 and methyl hexadecanoate in the spinning solution. After adding Cu(OAc)2, both the conductivity of the solution and the chain entanglement of cellulose were controlled to impact the morphology of electrospun cellulose fibers. Uniform diameter distribution can be only obtained under proper conditions (namely, the concentration of Cu(OAc)2 of 0.1%). Then, methyl hexadecanoate was further used to reduce the chain entanglement of cellulose in the solution. Electrospun cellulose fibers with the diameters around ~500 nm and uniform diameter distribution were finally obtained. The use of organic salts and single functional group contained additive provides a feasible and important method to control fiber methodology of cellulose via electrospinning."