Hybrid processing of melt electrospinning/blowing for polypropylene/polyethylene glycol fiber fabrication with various diameter distribution

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted to develop and optimize the manufacturing process of polymer fibers in various forms. In particular, many melt-spinning processes have been developed for the manufacture of nanofibers of polymer materials with excellent chemical resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of various spinning conditions and their spinning behavior on the fiber manufacturing process and properties using a melt electrospinning/blowing process that combines conventional melt blowing and electrospinning. We also report a discontinuous spinning process that produces a web with a very wide diameter distribution from the nanoscale to the microscale with gradient fibers. They are generally compared with webs, which have a narrow diameter distribution. We believe that by using this process, it is possible to produce diameters of various distributions in one step. These results show remarkable potential for many applications in which gradient fibers are required.