Preparation of PAA/PEO blend nanofibers via electrospinning process

Abstract

AbstractThe novel poly(acrylic acid)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PAA/PEO) blend nanofibers at 100/0, 80/20, 50/50, 20/80 and 0/100 weight ratios were obtained via electrospinning process. Intermolecular interactions and compatibility of blend fibers were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the free-hydroxyl groups, the bonded hydrogen hydroxyl groups and the carbonyl groups absorption bands in the electrospun PAA/PEO fibers shifted with the increase in PEO percentage in the blend. DSC measurements showed the melting point, the glass transition temperature, the melting enthalpy and the crystallinity percentage of pure polymer nanofibers were different compared with blend nanofibers. The results suggested that intermolecular interactions occurred in the electrospun PAA/PEO nanofibers. These interactions made PAA/PEO blends miscible at above-mentioned weight ratios. Additionally, the morphology and the average fiber diameter were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, which indicated beadless fibers with diameter range of 110 to 280 nm. It was observed that the uniform fibers with the smaller average diameter were obtained in PAA/PEO blends containing PAA dominant content. Finally, the SEM results suggested that the formation of pure PAA nanofibers with concentration of 5 Wt. % would not occur. Whereas, in the same concentration, pure PEO and PAA/PEO blend nanofibers with no bead defects were obtained.