High Molecular Weight Polymers Research Articles

Graphene Effect on the Mechanical Properties of Poly (Ethylene Oxide)/ Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites Using Ultrasound Technique

Graphene is one of the most important materials that have attracted the attention of scientists and engineers because of its unique properties. Graphene oxide was used with different concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt%) that were mixed with high molecular weight polymer to prepare several models of PEO-GO nanocomposites using solution casting methods. Some of the properties of the samples, including the density, viscosity and ultrasonic velocity were measured using different technologies such as the ultrasound (US). The results showed a change and significant enhancements in these properties with the increase of graphene oxide concentrations in the matrix. Where, the viscosity increased up to 112.5 %, meanwhile the mechanical properties enhanced by 86.2 % and 719 % of ultrasonic velocity and bulk modules, respectively. Most of the mechanical properties were increased exponentially with the increase of GO concentrations. The results found that the best concentration of (GO) was (1.5 wt%) that greatly enhanced the mechanical properties in this study. SEM images presented a clear change in the fracture surface that showed a smooth surface and homogeneous dispersion of the GO nanosheets into the PEO matrix.

Chemical modification of cotton by methyl methacrylate via emulsion polymerization

A highly efficient and environmentally friendly graft polymerization method of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto cotton was performed using an alkyl zinc initiator in an emulsion system. Using this method, a high-molecular weight (Mw > 106) polymer was grafted onto a cotton fiber with a high graft yield at ambient temperature. The grafted cotton fiber was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface morphologies of the unmodified and grafted cotton were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the grafted cotton produced by this novel method that involved modifying the surface of the cotton improved its compatibility with a number of organic solvents. A highly efficient and environmentally friendly graft polymerization method of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto cotton was performed using an alkyl zinc initiator in an emulsion system. Using this method, a high-molecular weight (Mw > 106) polymer was grafted onto a cotton fiber with a high graft yield at ambient temperature. The grafted cotton fiber was characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM. Furthermore, the grafted cotton produced by this novel method that involved modifying the surface of the cotton improved its compatibility with a number of organic solvents.

The Mechanism of the Propagation in the Anionic Polymerization of Polystyryllithium in Non-Polar Solvents Elucidated by Density Functional Theory Calculations. A Study of the Negligible Part Played by Dimeric Ion-Pairs under Usual Polymerization Conditions.

The elementary processes occurring in the anionic polymerization of styrene with dimerically associated polystyryllithium (propagation during the anionic polymerization of dimeric polystyryllithium) in the gas phase and cyclohexane were studied using MX062X/6-31+G(d), a recently developed density functional theory (DFT) method and compared with the polymerization of styrene with non-associated polystyryllithium, which was described in a previous study. The most stable transition state in the reaction of styrene with dimeric polystyryllithium has a structure in which the side chains of styrene and the two chain end units of polystyryllithium are located in the same direction around the Li atom near the reactive site. The relative enthalpy for this transition state in cyclohexane is 28 kJ·mol−1, which is much lower than that for the reaction of non-associated polystyryllithium (51 kJ·mol−1). However, the relative free energy (which determines the rate constant) for the former is 93 kJ·mol−1, which is greater than that for the latter by 7 kJ·mol−1, indicating that the latter reaction (reaction with non-associated polystyryllithium) is advantageous over the former (reaction with dimeric polystyrylllithium). Their rates of reaction are also affected by initiator concentrations; in the case of reactions with low initiator concentrations, from which high molecular weight polymers are usually obtained, the rate of reaction corresponding to non-associated polystyryllithium is much larger than that corresponding to dimeric polystyryllithium.

Synthesis and characterization of post-sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) membranes for potential applications in water desalination

This study focuses on post-sulfonated polysulfone membranes for potential applications in desalination by reverse osmosis or electrodialysis. A series of controlled molecular weight (5000 and 10,000 g/mol) polysulfones containing hydroquinone and their high molecular weight linear counterparts were synthesized using post-sulfonation of pre-formed polymers under mild conditions. The sulfonic acid groups were substituted on only the hydroquinone units. Amine terminated oligomers were crosslinked with a tetrafunctional epoxy molecule under suitable conditions to form membranes whereas the linear high molecular weight polymers were cast directly to form films with chain entanglements. Fixed charge concentrations of the membranes based on linear copolymers increased from 3.94 to 5.14 meq/mL when the ion exchange capacity was decreased from 1.30 to 0.88 meq/g. The fixed charge concentration of the networks cast from the 5000 g/mol oligomers increased from 4.04 to 6.23 meq/mL with a decrease in the ion exchange capacity from 1.51 to 0.90 meq/g.

Metabolite profile changes and increased antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities of mixed vegetables after fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum.

Fermented vegetables have emerged as prebiotics with various health benefits. However, the possible mechanisms behind their health benefits are unclear. To relate the metabolite profile changes in fermented mixed vegetables with associated health benefits of fermented vegetables, we analyzed the metabolite profiles of mixed vegetables, before and after fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum, using gas chromatography/time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (GC/TOF–MS). To analyze health benefits of fermented vegetables, antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities were measured using RAW 264.7 cells. Among 78 metabolites identified by GC/TOF–MS in this study, those significantly increased after fermentation include antioxidative and/or antiinflammatory agents such as lactate, 3-phennyllactate, indole-3-lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate, γ-aminobutyrate, and glycerol. These metabolites may have been either newly synthesized or depolymerized from high molecular weight polymers from vegetables during fermentation. This is the first metabolomics study to relate metabolite profile changes with increased health benefits of fermented vegetables.

The Dispersion Composition of Polymethylmethacrylate Suspensions and Molecular Weights of Polymers Obtained by Suspension Polymerization in the Presence of Acrylic Copolymers as Surfactants

The dispersion composition of polymer suspensions and molecular weights of polymers obtained by suspension polymerization of MMA in the presence of polymer surfactants – methylmethacrylate and methacrylic acid copolymers – were studied. It is shown that a highly dispersed fraction of particles with diameters of 0.02–2.0 µm and a fraction of particles with large diameters (up to 1000 µm) are always present in the polymer suspension. After fractionation of polymer suspensions 3 fractions of particles with different diameters were obtained. For each particle fraction the molecular masses of polymers were determined by viscometry. A significant difference in the values of the molecular masses of polymers obtained as particles of small and large diameters – 105 and 106 Da, respectively – is shown. The presence of a highly dispersed fraction of particles in which a polymer of high molecular weight is formed has a noticeable effect on the average molecular weight of the polymer. In particles of small diameter polymerization takes place according to a mechanism close to the emulsion, due to the fact that the volume of such particles contains a small amount of radicals. The high rate of polymerization leads to the formation of a polymer of high molecular weight, the appearance of a gel effect and a decrease in the termination constant. In most particles, polymerization proceeds by a mechanism close to the solution polymerization, and polymers of low molecular weight are formed. This makes it possible to synthesize polymers of a given molecular weight in drops of certain dispersity.

The effect of transglutaminase on colloidal stability of milk proteins

Food industry is on constant search for improved, enzymatically modified forms of proteins, which are the most important functional food ingredients, capable of either introducing or modifying texture, appearance, and flavour. One of the key aspects of food design is creating new functional properties and novel food macro- and microstructures in order to provide tailored food characteristics expected by consumers. Milk proteins are among the most thoroughly studied protein complexes occurring in foods and having a wide range of functionalities. The common usage of milk proteins has also contributed to the development of techniques designed to modify and improve functional properties of milk proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of enzymatic modification induced by microbial transglutaminase (TGM) in milk proteins on the range of cross-linking as well as heat and ethanol stability of these proteins. Milk used in the study was subjected to various technological processes and then incubated with the enzyme added at an amount of 2 Units g−1 protein for 2 h at 40 °C. Modification of milk proteins by transglutaminase leads to their partial cross-linking and formation of high molecular weight polymers in the range of 55–200 kDa. The changes of cross-links between milk proteins occur most dynamically in the first hour of incubation at 40 °C. Enzymatic modification of milk proteins significantly increases the ethanol stability of raw as well as pasteurized milk and UF concentrate. Addition of transglutaminase does not change the heat stability of milk measured as the time of heat coagulation at 140 °C.Graphical abstract

Dissecting the Dual Nature of Hyaluronan in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan with a simple structure but diverse and often opposing functions. The biological activities of this polysaccharide depend on its molecular weight and the identity of interacting receptors. HA is initially synthesized as high molecular-weight (HMW) polymers, which maintain homeostasis and restrain cell proliferation and migration in normal tissues. These HMW-HA functions are mediated by constitutively expressed receptors including CD44, LYVE-1, and STABILIN2. During normal processes such as tissue remodeling and wound healing, HMW-HA is fragmented into low molecular weight polymers (LMW-HA) by hyaluronidases and free radicals, which promote inflammation, immune cell recruitment and the epithelial cell migration. These functions are mediated by RHAMM and TLR2,4, which coordinate signaling with CD44 and other HA receptors. Tumor cells hijack the normally tightly regulated HA production/fragmentation associated with wound repair/remodeling, and these HA functions participate in driving and maintaining malignant progression. However, elevated HMW-HA production in the absence of fragmentation is linked to cancer resistance. The controlled production of HA polymer sizes and their functions are predicted to be key to dissecting the role of microenvironment in permitting or restraining the oncogenic potential of tissues. This review focuses on the dual nature of HA in cancer initiation vs. resistance, and the therapeutic potential of HA for chemo-prevention and as a target for cancer management.

Synthesis of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polymers with Low PDIs by Polymerizations of 1-Decene, 1-Dodecene, and 1-Tetradecene by Cp*TiMe2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)⁻Borate Catalyst.

Polymerizations of 1-decene (DC), 1-dodecene (DD), and 1-tetradecene (TD) by Cp*TiMe2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) (1)–[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] (borate) catalyst have been explored in the presence of Al cocatalyst. The polymerizations of DC and DD, in n-hexane containing a mixture of AliBu3 and Al(n-C8H17)3, proceeded with high catalytic activities in a quasi-living manner, affording high molecular weight polymers (activity 4120–5860 kg-poly(DC)/mol-Ti·h, Mn for poly(DC) = 7.04–7.82 × 105, after 20 min at −30 °C). The PDI (Mw/Mn) values in the resultant polymers decreased upon increasing the ratio of Al(n-C8H17)3/AliBu3 with decreasing the activities at −30 °C. The PDI values also became low when these polymerizations were conducted at low temperatures (−40 or −50 °C); high molecular weight poly(DD) with low PDI (Mn = 5.26 × 105, Mw/Mn = 1.16) was obtained at −50 °C. The TD polymerization using 1–borate–AliBu3 catalyst (conducted in n-hexane at −30 °C) afforded ultrahigh molecular weight poly(TD) (Mn = 1.02 × 106, Mw/Mn = 1.38), and the PDI values also decreased with increasing the Al(n-C8H17)3/AliBu3 ratio.

Mechanochemical synthesis of poly(trimethylene carbonate)s: an example of rate acceleration.

Mechanochemical polymerization is a rapidly growing area and a number of polymeric materials can now be obtained through green mechanochemical synthesis. In addition to the general merits of mechanochemistry, such as being solvent-free and resulting in high conversions, we herein explore rate acceleration under ball-milling conditions while the conventional solution-state synthesis suffer from low reactivity. The solvent-free mechanochemical polymerization of trimethylene carbonate using the organocatalysts 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) are examined herein. The polymerizations under ball-milling conditions exhibited significant rate enhancements compared to polymerizations in solution. A number of milling parameters were evaluated for the ball-milling polymerization. Temperature increases due to ball collisions and exothermic energy output did not affect the polymerization rate significantly and the initial mixing speed was important for chain-length control. Liquid-assisted grinding was applied for the synthesis of high molecular weight polymers, but it failed to protect the polymer chain from mechanical degradation.

Polymer Infiltration into Metal-Organic Frameworks in Mixed-Matrix Membranes Detected in Situ by NMR.

Solid-state NMR has been used to study mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) prepared with a metal-organic framework (MOF, UiO-66) and two different high molecular weight polymers (PEO and PVDF). 13C and 1H NMR data provide overwhelming evidence that most UiO-66 organic linkers are within 1 nm of PEO, which indicates that PEO is homogeneously distributed throughout the MOF. Systematic changes in MOF 13C NMR peak positions and 1H NMR line widths, as well as dramatic reductions in the MOF 1H T1ρ relaxation times, are observed as the PEO content increases, and when the pores have been filled, a further increase in PEO results in the formation of semicrystalline PEO outside the UiO-66 particles. In contrast, similar studies on PVDF MMMs show that the polymer contacts only a small fraction (<20%) of the MOF linkers. Simulations confirm that PEO penetrates into UiO-66 more easily than does PVDF. These studies are among the first to provide experimental insights into MOF-polymer interactions in an MMM.

Aromatic polyesters containing pendant azido groups: Synthesis, characterization, chemical modification and thermal cross-linking

A partially bio-based bisphenol containing pendant azido group viz., 4,4′-(5-azidopentane-2,2-diyl) diphenol (AZBPA) was synthesized starting from 4,4′-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) pentanoic acid. AZBPA was reacted with isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) and a mixture of IPC/TPC (50:50 mol%) by phase transfer-catalyzed interfacial polycondensation route to obtain aromatic polyesters containing pendant azido groups. Copolyesters containing pendant azido groups were also synthesized by polycondensation of different molar proportions of AZBPA and commercially available 4,4′-(1-phenylethane-1,1-diyl) diphenol (BPA-AP) with IPC. Inherent viscosities and number average molecular weights of (co)polyesters were in the range 0.85–1.64 dL/g and 58,900–190,400, respectively, indicating the formation of reasonably high molecular weight polymers. Tough, transparent, and flexible films could be cast from chloroform solutions of these polyesters. X-Ray diffraction analysis showed that (co)polyesters were amorphous in nature. (Co)polyesters were characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA and DSC analysis. The chemical modification of a representative copolyester containing pendant azido groups was carried out quantitatively using copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with two alkynes viz., phenyl acetylene (PA) and ethynyl-4-nitrobenzene (ENB). Additionally, (co)polyesters containing pendant azido groups were thermally cross-linked (170 °C/12 h) leading to the formation of network structures based on azide to nitrene decomposition and subsequent reactions on polyester backbone. The selected cross-linked polyesters were characterized by stress-strain measurements. The cross-linked polymers exhibited higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus and lower % elongation at break compared to corresponding pristine polyesters containing pendant azido groups.

Organophilic Clay-Based Drilling Fluids for Mitigation of Unconventional Shale Reservoirs Instability and Formation Damage

High-performance drilling fluid was designed for unconventional reservoirs to minimize the formation damage and borehole instability using organophilic clay treated with trimethyloctylammonium bromide, novel in-house synthesized gemini surfactant, and a high-molecular weight polymer. This gemini surfactant has not been reported in the literature for drilling fluid applications. The performance of designed drilling fluid was evaluated and compared with the base drilling fluid (4 w/v.% bentonite dispersion water). Shale dispersion, linear swelling, filtration, and rheological experiments were performed to investigate the effect of drilling fluids on borehole stability and formation damage. The combined use of organophilic clay and surfactant in the drilling fluid formulation reduced the shale dispersion up to 89%. The linear swelling experiment of shale sample shows 10% swelling of the core in the modified drilling fluid while in base fluid 13% swelling of shale was observed. It was found that modified drilling fluid interactions with shale were greatly reduced using a surfactant and associative polymer in the drilling fluid formulation. Rheological properties of drilling fluids were stable, and filtration characteristics showed that the filtrate volume was within the acceptable limit. The designed drilling fluid made a thin and impermeable filter cake that prevents the invasion of drilling fluid into the formation. This study opens a new direction to reduce the formation damage and borehole instability using organophilic clay, surfactant and high-molecular weight additive in water-based drilling fluid.

Distortion of Velocity Profiles of Water Flow with Heavy Molecular Weight Polymers

Transportation of fluids in pipelines is common in many industrial processes. The energy requirements for this transport is high because of the need to overcome the occurring frictional pressure drop or drag. However, the addition of high molecular weight polymers to fluid flows has been known to cause a reduction in the frictional pressure drop. It has also been reported to cause other changes in the flow including changes in the turbulence characteristics, holdup as well as asymmetry of the velocity profiles. In this work some experimental results are presented in order to gain better insight into the deviations from axisymmetry of velocity profiles of water flow in pipes when drag reducing agents are added. Drag reduction studies were carried out in a horizontal 14mmID acrylic pipe with hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and different molecular weights polyethylene oxide used as additives in fully developed flows. Asymmetry was observed at both transitional and turbulent flow regimes for all tested polymer types and it increased with molecular weights. While the molecular weight and degree of formation of entanglements and aggregates of the polymer fibers are indicated as the causes of the observed profile asymmetry, the contribution of system/setup imperfections can be ruled out.

Poly(1-vinylimidazole) Prospects in Gene Delivery

Polymeric amines are being studied intensively as components of systems for gene delivery in genetic engineering and gene therapy of genetic disorders, including cancer. Despite remarkable achievements in the field, polymeric amines, such as polyethyleneimine, show some disadvantages. Strong interaction between the amine-containing polymer and nucleic acid hampers the release of nucleic acid in the cell cytoplasm. Amine groups can interact with the cell membrane which results in cell death. These limitations of polymeric amines stimulated an investigation of new structures for gene delivery. Imidazole-containing polymers have attracted attention as lesser basic substances, while they are able to interact with polymeric acids. Further development of imidazole-based gene delivery agents requires knowledge about some fundamental aspects of interaction between nucleic acids, and polymeric imidazoles. In this work, we studied the complexation of poly(1-vinylimidazole) and oligomeric DNA. We found that the number of active sites capable of binding with negatively charged phosphate groups is comparable with the number of protonated imidazole units in the case of high molecular weight polymer. The increase in polymer charge by 1-bromopropane quaternizating 1%−5% imidazole units or by decreasing the pH to 6.5−7 considerably increased the ability of poly(1-vinylimidazole) to interact with oligonucleotides. The pH sensitivity of this interaction is interesting for cancer gene therapy because the tumours have a lowered intercellular pH (stable oligonucleotide complex) and a higher extracellular pH which can lead to complex dissociation. Minimal critical length for complexation of quaternized poly(1-vinylimidazole) and DNA is below eight units which corresponds to polymers with amine groups. Fluorescence-tagged poly(1-vinylimidazole) samples were obtained and their potential for monitoring the polymer and polymer-oligonucleotide complex internalization into living cells was demonstrated.

Tuning the Product Spectrum of a Glycoside Hydrolase Enzyme by a Combination of Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Tyrosine-Specific Chemical Modification.

Selective chemical modification of proteins plays a pivotal role for the rational design of enzymes with novel and specific functionalities. In this study, a strategic combination of genetic and chemical engineering paves the way for systematic construction of biocatalysts by tuning the product spectrum of a levansucrase from Bacillus megaterium (Bm-LS), which typically produces small levan-like oligosaccharides. The implementation of site-directed mutagenesis followed by a tyrosine-specific modification enabled control of the product synthesis: depending on the position, the modification provoked either enrichment of short oligosaccharides (up to 800 % in some cases) or triggered the formation of high molecular weight polymer. The chemical modification can recover polymerization ability in variants with defective oligosaccharide binding motifs. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations provided insights into the effect of modifying non-native tyrosine residues on product specificity.

Influence of PMMA on All-Inorganic Halide Perovskite CsPbBr₃ Quantum Dots Combined with Polymer Matrix.

The poor stability of CsPbX3 quantum dots (QDs-CsPbX3) under wet conditions is still considered to be a key issue. In order to overcome this problem, this study presents a high molecular weight polymer matrix (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) incorporated into the QDs-CsPbBr3 to improve its stability and maintain its excellent optical properties. In this study, the Cs2CO3, PbO, Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TOAB) powder, oleic acid, and toluene solvent were uniformly mixed and purified to prepare high-quality QDs powders. Then, hexane was used as a dispersing agent for the QD powder to complete the perovskite QDs-CsPbBr3 solution. Finally, a solution with different proportions of quantum dots CsPbBr3 and PMMA was prepared and discussed. In the preparation of thin films, firstly, a thin film with the structure of glass/QD-CsPbBr3/PMMA was fabricated in a glove box using a well-developed QDs-CsPbBr3 solution by changing the ratio of CsPbBr3:PMMA. The material analysis of QDs-CsPbBr3 thin films was performed with photoluminescence (PL), transmittance, absorbance, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structures and morphologies were further examined to study the effect of doped PMMA on perovskite QDs-CsPbBr3.

Competing Exchange and Irreversible Reactions in a Linear Co‐Polycondensation Lead to a Broad Composition Window Where Tunable High Molecular Weight Polymers can be Prepared

AbstractA co‐polycondensation reaction is discussed analytically and by Monte‐Carlo simulations where two reactive units compete for reactions with an alternating third reactive unit, whereby irreversible reactions replace bonds which are able to undergo exchange reactions. The resulting number average molar mass, Mn, exhibits only one distinct peak at the stoichiometric condition of both competitors with the alternating partner. The weight average molar mass, Mw, reaches an additional second peak at the stoichiometric condition between the dominating competitor and the alternating partner. Both peaks of Mw surround a range of compositions where a rather high and approximately constant Mw is obtained. The degree of polymerization of the dominating and alternating reaction partners is rather insensitive towards composition fluctuations if the reaction mixture remains within this composition window. This promotes high molecular weight species and more homogeneous weight distributions at incomplete mixing conditions. An ideal reference case (identical reaction rates for all reactions) is solved analytically to describe these reactions. The position of the stable composition window and the average molar masses inside this window can be tuned by choosing appropriate precursor molecules, reaction mixtures, or post‐tuning steps at later times.

Slip-Spring and Kink Dynamics Models for Fast Extensional Flow of Entangled Polymeric Fluids.

We combine a slip-spring model with an ‘entangled kink dynamics’ (EKD) model for strong uniaxial extensional flows (with Rouse Weissenberg number ) of long ( for polystyrene) entangled polymers in solutions and melts. The slip-spring model captures the dynamics up to the formation of a ‘kinked’ or folded state, while the kink dynamics simulation tracks the dynamics from that point forward to complete extension. We show that a single-chain slip-spring model using affine motion of the slip-spring anchor points produces unrealistically high tension near the center of the chain once the Hencky strain exceeds around unity or so, exceeding the maximum tension that a chain entangled with a second chain is able to support. This unrealistic tension is alleviated by pairing the slip links on one chain with those on a second chain, and allowing some of the large tension on one of the two to be transferred to the second chain, producing non-affine motion of each. This explicit pairing of entanglements mimics the entanglement pairing also used in the EKD model, and allows the slip spring simulations to be carried out to strains high enough for the EKD model to become valid. We show that results nearly equivalent to those from paired chains are obtained in a single-chain slip-spring simulation by simply specifying that the tension in a slip spring cannot exceed the theoretical maximum value of where , and are the friction per unit length, strain rate and contour length of the chain, respectively. The effects of constraint release (CR) and regeneration of entanglements is also studied and found to have little effect on the chain statistics up to the formation of the kinked state. The resulting hybrid model provides a fast, simple, simulation method to study the response of high molecular weight () polymers in fast flows (), where conventional simulation techniques are less applicable due to computational cost.

Effect of extraction methods on the preparation of electrospun/electrosprayed microstructures of tilapia skin collagen

Collagen plays a pivotal role in human physiological functions and extracted collagen has multiple potential applications. Tilapia skin can be applied to extract collagen for maximizing the profit of tilapia processing. Electrospinning/electrospraying is novel micro- and nano-techniques to fabricate microfibers and microspheres in a simple and easy way. In this work, we extract collagens from tilapia skin by three types of extraction methods: acetic acid method, hot water method, and sodium hydroxide method. Then, these extracted collagens are characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. These extracted collagens have different molecular weights and different protein secondary structures. Finally, these extracted collagens are applied to fabricate electrosprayed microspheres, electrospun microfibers, and mixed microspheres/microfibers with multiple potential applications by adjusting the collagen concentrations. Higher polymer molecular weight only needs lower concentration to produce microfibers. The microfiber diameter increases with the increase of collagen concentration. This work proves that extraction methods have obvious effect on the preparation of electrospun/electrosprayed microstructures of tilapia skin collagen and provide a way to maximize resource utilization of tilapia processing waste.