High-modulus rotary jet spun co-polyimide nanofibers and their composites

James J Rogalski,Han Zhang,Jian Yao,Cees W M Bastiaansen,Ton Peijs

doi:10.1080/20550324.2019.1687174

James J Rogalski, Han Zhang + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/20550324.2019.1687174

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Abstract

The production of high-modulus and high-strength polymer nanofibers using centrifugal or rotary jet spinning (RJS) was explored. Co-polyimide nanofibers based on 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA)/p-phenylenediamine (PDA)/4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) (BPO) were successfully spun by RJS from a polyamic acid precursor solution before conversion into highly oriented and chain extended BPO co-polyimide fibers via an imidization step. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) characterization was used to evaluate the chemical conversion of the fibers. Nanocomposite laminates based on co-polyimide nonwoven fiber mats in epoxy were manufactured for mechanical testing. Analysis using the generalized rule of mixtures resulted in a back-calculated fiber modulus and strength of around 50 and 2 GPa, approaching that of high-performance fibers like Kevlar® 29, and equaling those of co-polyimide fibers obtained via electrospinning, making them the strongest centrifugal spun fibers ever reported.

Highlights

A relatively novel nanofiber production technique, rotary jet spinning (RJS), has gained in popularity in recent years because of its promise of higher production rates and economies of scale compared to other leading nanofiber production methods [1,2]
The term RJS is known as centrifugal spinning, rotor spinning or ForcespinningTM and in certain configurations allows for the production of micro- or nanofibers from either a polymer solution or melt
RJS is unique among nanofiber production methods as it offers the combined benefits of low power consumption, sub-micron fiber diameters and high production rates compared to traditional polymer

Summary

Introduction

A relatively novel nanofiber production technique, rotary jet spinning (RJS), has gained in popularity in recent years because of its promise of higher production rates and economies of scale compared to other leading nanofiber production methods [1,2]. 3,30,4,40-biphenyl-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), p-phenylenediamine (PDA) and 4,40-oxydianiline (ODA) (BPO) were the three monomers used in their study, and by altering the ratio of the flexible ODA and rigid PDA moieties, they were able to create an intermediate polymer called PAA In this polymer strong hydrogen bonding between PAA and solvent ensured solubility – a quality required for solution based fiber spinning methods like electrospinning or RJS. In their case, the fibers were electrospun into aligned fiber bundles by collection on a rotating disc before undergoing sample characterization. Low temperature polycondensation reaction from BPDA, PDA and ODA (BPO) monomers to polyamid acid (PAA) with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent, and subsequent imidization processing to produce BPO co-polyimide. Test specimens with average dimensions of 30 mm Â 5 mm Â 0.3 mm were cut from the composite laminate and were tested using a gauge length of 10 mm

Results and discussion

Conclusions

Notes on contributors