Pyrrolidone Group Research Articles

Switching CO2 Electroreduction Pathways between Ethylene and Ethanol via Tuning Microenvironment of the Coating on Copper Nanofibers

AbstractEngineering the microenvironment of electrode surface is one of the effective means to tune the reaction pathways in CO2RR. In this work, we prepared copper nanofibers with conductive polypyrrole coating by polymerization of pyrrole using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as template. As a result, the obtained copper nanofibers Cu/Cu2+1O/SHNC, exhibited a superhydrophobic surface, which demonstrated very high selectivity for ethanol with a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 66.5 % at −1.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in flow cell. However, the catalyst Cu/Cu2+1O/NC, which was prepared under the same conditions but without PVP, possessed a hydrophobic surface and exhibited high selectivity towards ethylene at the given potentials. The mechanism for switch of reaction pathways from ethylene to ethanol in CO2RR was studied. Incorporating pyrrolidone groups into the polymer coating results in the formation of a superhydrophobic surface. This surface weakens the hydrogen bonding interaction between interfacial water molecules and facilitates the transfer of CO2, thereby enhancing the local CO2/H2O ratio. The high coverage of *CO promotes the coupling of *CO and *CHO to form C2 intermediates, and reduces the reaction energy for the formation of *CHCHOH (ethanol path) at the interface. This ensures that the reaction pathway is directed towards ethanol.

Engineering of Silane-Pyrrolidone Nano/Microparticles and Anti-Fogging Thin Coatings.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) exhibits remarkable qualities; owing to the strong affinity for water of its pyrrolidone group, which enhances compatibility with aqueous systems, it is effective for stabilizing, binding, or carrying food, drugs, and cosmetics. However, coating the surface of polymeric films with PVP is not practical, as the coatings dissolve easily in water and ethanol. Poly(silane-pyrrolidone) nano/microparticles were prepared by combining addition polymerization of methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane and N-vinylpyrrolidone, followed by step-growth Stöber polymerization of the formed silane-pyrrolidone monomer. The silane-pyrrolidone monomeric solution was spread on oxidized polyethylene films with a Mayer rod and polymerized to form siloxane (Si-O-Si) self-cross-linked durable anti-fog thin coatings with pyrrolidone groups exposed on the outer surface. The coatings exhibited similar wetting properties to PVP with significantly greater stability. The particles and coatings were characterized by microscopy, contact angle measurements, and spectroscopy, and tested using hot fog. Excellent anti-fogging activity was found.

Synthesis and Characterization of Durable Antifog Silane-Pyrrolidone Thin Coatings onto Polymeric Films.

The fogging of transparent surfaces-condensation of water vapor in the air to a small liquid surface at specific environmental conditions-scatters incident light, creating a blurry vision. Fogging presents a significant challenge in various industries, adversely affecting numerous applications including plastic packaging, agricultural films, and various optical devices. Superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic coatings are the main strategies used to induce antifogging to minimize light scattering. Here, an innovative approach is introduced to mitigate fogging by modifying the surface properties of polymeric films, focusing on corona-treated polyethylene as a model. Coatings were prepared in two successive steps: the addition of radical co-polymerization of methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane and N-vinylpyrrolidone followed by the step-growth Stöber polymerization of the formed silane monomer. The polymeric dispersion was spread on oxidized films via a Mayer rod and dried. Scanning and force microscopy, FIB, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy revealed a thin coating composed of cross-linked siloxane (Si-O-Si) covalently bonded to surface hydroxyls exposing pyrrolidone groups. Contact angle measurements, hot-fog examination, and durability tests indicated a durable antifogging activity.

Preparation of sulfomethylated lignin grafted by pyrrolidone for utilization as a dispersant in nano pigment paste

In this work, sulfomethylated lignin (SAL) was firstly synthesized using alkali lignin (AL) as raw materials, and then grafted with pyrrolidone as adsorption groups to prepare sulfomethylated lignin grafted by pyrrolidone (SALN). Results showed that SALN had a lower sulfonic group content than SAL but additionally contained 0.79 mmol/g of pyrrolidone groups. SAL and SALN were separately used as dispersants to prepare 20 wt% of cobalt blue nano pigment paste, and the minimum particle size of 82 nm and 52 nm was achieved when the dispersant dosage was 10 wt% and the grinding time was 4 h. After 7 days of thermal storage at 60 °C, the particle size of nano pigment paste prepared by SALN nearly remained unchanged, but that prepared by SAL increased from 82 nm to 285 nm, and there was obvious precipitation. Therefore, the thermal storage stability of cobalt blue nano pigment paste prepared by SALN was much better than that of SAL. Adsorption isotherm and infrared spectra experimental results indicated a firm multi-point anchoring complexing adsorption was formed between the pyrrolidone group of SALN and Co–O on cobalt blue surface, which made SALN not easy to desorb during collisions caused by Brownian motions. SAL was adsorbed through –C(=O)O−, and thus easy to desorb. Therefore, the stability of the nano pigment paste prepared by SALN was superior to that of SAL.

Nonlinear optical properties DFT calculations of polyacethylene and copolymers models substituted with aldimines chromophores as side chains.

Aldimine derivatives chromophores grafted on polyacetylene oligomers were first designed to investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of the resulting materials using CAMB3LYP method. The effects of different factors such as the chain length separating the substitutions as well as the configurations and the orientations of these latter, were examined and discussed. In a second part of this paper, NLO responses, in particular the static hyperpolarizabilities of polyvinyl oligomers substituted by aldimine chromophores via carboxylic groups and by pyrrolidone groups were calculated for different configurations. The stability and the hydrogen bonding in each oligomer were also discussed.

Novel phenanthroline-derived pyrrolidone ligands for efficient uranium separation: Liquid-liquid extraction, spectroscopy, and molecular simulations

A challenge in nuclear waste remediation is the construction of extraction systems with exceptional stability and remarkable selectivity under harsh conditions, to achieve efficient uranium separation from nuclear wastewater. In this work, two novel N, O-hybrid extractants, L1 and L2 attaching two or one pyrrolidone groups to the phenanthroline skeleton were synthesized and applied in uranium extraction. Solvent extraction tests showed that these ligands in 3-nitrobenzotrifluoride can extract uranium with fast kinetics, high selectivity over twelve competing ions, and facile stripping. Slope analysis indicated that each uranyl ion binds to one ligand during extraction, and the extraction conforms to the cation exchange mechanism. The effect of temperature on uranium extraction was also carried out to determine the thermodynamic parameters. Notably, outstanding radiation stability was demonstrated for these extractants even after being exposed to 500 kGy γ ray irradiation. In addition, NMR titration and DFT calculations were performed to understand the complexation behaviors between ligands and uranyl ions. This study reveals the potential of these two phenanthroline-based extractants for the use in uranium separation from nuclear wastewater.

Development of magnetic solid phase extraction using magnetic amphiphilic polymer for sensitive analysis of multi-pesticides residue in honey

A sensitive and time-saving method for the determination of multi-pesticide residues in honey was developed using magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Magnetic polymer (N-vinyl pyrrolidone-divinyl benzene) (MVP-DB) was fabricated and employed as the adsorbent for extraction and enrichment of multi-pesticide residues in honey. MVP-DB contains lipophilic benzene ring, divinyl group, and hydrophilic pyrrolidone group. The good hydrophilic and hydrophobic structure of MVP-DB not only ensures sufficient dispersion in honey samples, but also enhances the ability to enrich target analytes. The predominant factors affecting the recoveries of analytes were systematically investigated, affording a rapid and highly efficient MSPE method. Under the optimal conditions, the method was verified, including the recovery, precision, linearity, sensitivity, and matrix effects. The results displayed that these pesticides showed good linearity in the range of 2–250 µg L−1. The MLOQs were 0.5 µg kg−1. The recoveries of pesticides in honey at the pre-spiked concentrations of 0.5–25 µg kg−1 were 61.6%–112% with RSDs less than 18.2%. Hence, the developed method displayed good application prospect for the determination of multi-pesticide residues in honey samples.

Hydrogen-bond driven formation of microstructured pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with enhanced shear resistance

Acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are a widely used class of adhesive in which the suitability for a given application is heavily dependent on a delicate balance of the viscoelastic properties of the material. In this work, we present a strategy for the H-bond directed structural reinforcement of acrylic PSAs with enhanced shear resistance. The system is composed of a water-based acrylic polymer dispersion functionalized with pyrrolidone groups, and tannic acid, a natural occurring polyphenol, dissolved in water. It is demonstrated that during the drying of the dispersions, the H-bonds between the pyrrolidone groups in the polymer particles and the hydroxyl groups of TA in the aqueous phase promote the spontaneous formation of a percolating TA network around the soft acrylic polymer particles. Even when present as a fraction of a percent of the total formulation, the synergistic combination of the H-bond network and the structural reinforcement leads to PSAs with substantially improved shear resistance, whilst maintaining good peel strength. Unlike most approaches to improving shear resistance of acrylic PSAs, the proposed strategy is particularly interesting in that it offers the potential for post-synthesis tuning of the adhesive behavior of the PSA.

Efficient iodine capture by a sesbania gum-based polymeric adsorbent for reutilization in bacterial decontamination

The past several decades have witnessed great achievements in the development of advanced materials for disposing of iodine that poses a risk to public health. However, little attention has been paid to the reutilization of the captured iodine. Herein, we report on the modification of sesbania gum (SG) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via a radical polymerization strategy, and we investigate the modified SG (mSG) as an adsorbent for iodine capture, as well as the use of the captured iodine for antibacterial purposes. The PVP loading and hydrophilic−hydrophobic balance of mSG were controlled facilely by tuning the feed ratio of SG to N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. The as-obtained mSG served as an efficient adsorbent for iodine capture from solution, by undergoing a complexation reaction of pyrrolidone groups with I2 and polyiodide (i.e., I3–). More significantly, after a series of in vitro antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli (108 CFU∙mL−1) and column filtration assays, the as-captured iodine on mSG could be reutilized as an antibacterial agent to combat pathogens. We believe that this proposed strategy based on the synergism of iodine adsorption and reuse should have great potential for environmental remediation and public healthcare.

Click preparation and application of chiral stationary phase based on intrinsic recognition ability of cyclodextrin

Most of the studies on cyclodextrin (CD)-based chiral stationary phase (CSP) have focused on the functional derivatization of CD or the bridging arms to introduce more interaction sites and thus improve the chiral resolution ability. At present, there are only a few reports on CSP that can reflect the intrinsic recognition ability of natural CD. In this study, a mono(6-mercapto-6-deoxy)-β-CD CSP (CSP1) with a clear and controllable structure was synthesized by the "thiol-ene" click reaction. CSP1 retained the intrinsic structure of natural CD to the maximum extent, and the bridge arm had no recognition site. The results of 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses confirmed the successful preparation of CSP1. Elemental analysis results showed that compared with double-bond functionalized silica, the percentages of C, H, and N in CSP1 increased, and the calculated CD loading of CSP1 was 0.82 μmol/m2. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was performed for the chiral resolution of more than 50 chiral enantiomers, including isoxazoline, chiral lactide, chiral ketone, flavone, and dansyl amino acid. This fully demonstrated the intrinsic chiral recognition ability of natural CD, and the results showed that the intrinsic recognition ability of cyclodextrin was more conducive to the separation of Ph-Ph samples containing two hydrophobic benzene ring groups in the isoxazoline samples. For the Ph-Py and Ph-OPr samples, the separation effect was not satisfactory. The separation results for the Ph-Py samples were not ideal because the outer hydroxyl group of cyclodextrin could form a hydrogen bond with the pyridine nitrogen, thus hindering the inclusion and the separation effect. This eventually led to poor separation of the enantiomers. While the pyrrolidone group in the Ph-OPr sample could also form a good inclusion complex with cyclodextrin, its higher polarity weakened the inclusion effect compared to that for benzene rings, thus leading to poor chirality separation results. For chiral lactides, the intrinsic recognition ability of CD was good only for the separation of some samples. In the separation of chiral ketones, large steric hindrance effect inhibited the intrinsic recognition ability of CD, and the separation effect of such samples on CSP1 was not ideal. External functional groups were required in some cases to further regulate the chiral recognition performance. The molecular structure of dansyl amino acids played an important role in the separation effect, in addition to the intrinsic recognition ability of CD. The number of side chains in the substituent also affected the quality of separation. Lengthening the side chain or increasing the hydrophobicity could effectively improve the separation efficiency. The separation effect of flavanone samples on CSP1 was ordinary. The substituent positions also affected the separation effect. In order to further explore the intrinsic recognition ability of CD, the functional triazole-bridged CD-CSP (CSP2) and imidazole-bridged CD-CSP (CSP3) (the surface CD loadings of CSP2 and CSP3 were 0.51 μmol/m2 and 0.46 μmol/m2, respectively) prepared earlier were selected and compared under the same chromatographic conditions. The results showed that the separation of the sample was related not only to the structure of the chiral medium but also to the structure of the sample molecules. Functional modification of the bridge arm could improve the selectivity of some enantiomers, but would also cause partial loss of the intrinsic chiral recognition ability of CD. For samples with the intrinsic recognition ability of CD to facilitate separation, no functional group had to be added to the bridge arm when designing a chiral medium. This study provides a useful reference for the design of CD-based CSPs.

Facile synthesis of durable perovskite quantum dots film with near unity photoluminescence quantum yield for efficient perovskite light emitting diode

In this work, a bright uniform PSK QDs film is synthesized in-situ using an amorphous polymer and optimizing the stoichiometry. The in-situ formed QDs film grown in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) chains shows a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) as high as 98% even under low light intensities (0.01 mW/cm2) with a long shelf lifetime of up to 2 years under ambient light (nanocrystals retain 100% of the initial PLQY). The near unity PLQY is due to the passivation of the surface defects of the PSK QDs by the Lewis base pyrrolidone groups of the polymer chain. Further, the QDs film shows higher thermal stability that increases by a factor of more than 5 compared to the bulk film. High efficient green perovskite light emitting diodes (PLEDs) are fabricated without electron transporting layer using the high luminescent in situ synthesized low roughness QDs film with a current efficiency of 48.18 cd/A and power efficiency of 6.88 lm/W. Such devices start emitting green light at 2.5 V and reach a maximum luminance of 124727 cd m−2 at 7 V with external quantum efficiency of 10.5%. Further, the flexible PLED based on PSK QDs yields a maximum luminance of 43990 cd m−2 at 7 V.

Remarkable electrocatalytic CO2 reduction with ultrahigh CO/H2 ratio over single-molecularly immobilized pyrrolidinonyl nickel phthalocyanine

How to efficiently obtain the value-added products through electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is highly desired while remains significant challenges. Herein, we report an extremely active and selective immobilized pyrrolidinonyl nickel phthalocyanine (PyNiPc) catalyst for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, which was constructed by a built-in pyrrolidone group-assisted assembly strategy and presented single-molecular level dispersion of PyNiPc on carbon nanotubes. The resulting catalyst can predominantly produce CO in the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, affording nearly 100 % Faradaic efficiency over a wide potential range with ultrahigh CO/H2 ratios up to 640. Besides, the extraordinary activity with a turnover frequency value of 1.3 × 104 h–1 at –0.93 V and durability were also achieved. Investigations unraveled the promotion effect of pyrrolidone groups in dispersion and catalysis. The reaction pathways over this catalyst were further explored by using in situ attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy. This work offers a new understanding for constructing both active and selective molecular-based electrocatalysts.

Mechanistic Insights of the Critical Role of Hydrogen Donor in Controlling Drug Release From Acrylate Adhesive

In the present study, a pyrrolidone adhesive and an amide adhesive were synthesized, and their molecular mechanisms of controlled drug release were described. Using zolmitriptan as model drug, in vitro drug release and skin permeation experiments were performed. Adhesive properties were evaluated using modulated differential scanning calorimetry and rheology study. Free volume of polymer was directly obtained by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Intermolecular interactions between drugs and adhesives were determined by FTIR spectroscopic analysis and molecular simulation. Release percent (24 h) of zolmitriptan from pyrrolidone adhesive was about 55.8 ± 3.1% (w/w), while from amide adhesive, the release percent (24 h) was about 40.1 ± 1.6% (w/w). The free volume sizes of pyrrolidone adhesive and amide adhesive were about 2309.6 Å3 and 2854.5 Å3, respectively, which were much larger than molecular volume of zolmitriptan (about 285.7 Å3). Thus, the polymer networks might not hinder drug diffusion from the view of free volume. Comparing chemical structures of pyrrolidone group and primary amide group, the main difference was that primary amide group of amide adhesive possessed 2 hydrogen donors. It was proved that hydrogen bonding between zolmitriptan and hydrogen donor of primary amide group played a critical role in controlling drug release.

Effect of Graphene Nanoparticles on the Physical Properties of Ophthalmic Polymer Containing Pyrrolidone Group.

In this study, the functional ophthalmic hydrogel lens containing graphen oxide nanoparticles, PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) were manufactured. For 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is the main component of the ophthalmic hydrogel lens, and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), an initiator for thermal polymerization. And for photopolymerization, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone (2H2M). And used for cross linker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). The prepared ophthalmic hydrogel lens samples were hydrated in a sterile physiological saline solution for 24 hours before evaluating their physical properties, such as optical transmittance, refractive index, and water content. The surface characteristics of the lenses were also evaluated by measuring the AFM and contact angle. The results of this study suggest that PVP and graphene oxide nanoparticles have high wettability as additives, and that the lens manufactured by using the photopolymerization method demonstrated an ultraviolet shielding effect, thereby prompting us to conclude its suitability as a highly functional ophthalmic lens.

Healable and Mechanically Super-Strong Polymeric Composites Derived from Hydrogen-Bonded Polymeric Complexes.

It is challenging to fabricate mechanically super-strong polymer composites with excellent healing capacity because of the significantly limited mobility of polymer chains. The fabrication of mechanically super-strong polymer composites with excellent healing capacity by complexing polyacrylic acid (PAA) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPON) in aqueous solution followed by molding into desired shapes is presented. The coiled PVPON can complex with PAA in water via hydrogen-bonding interactions to produce transparent PAA-PVPON composites homogenously dispersed with nanoparticles of PAA-PVPON complexes. As healable materials, the PAA-PVPON composite materials with a glass transition temperature of ≈107.9 °C exhibit a super-high mechanical strength, with a tensile strength of ≈81 MPa and a Young's modulus of ≈4.5 GPa. The PAA-PVPON composites are stable in water because of the hydrophobic interactions among pyrrolidone groups. The super-high mechanical strength of the PAA-PVPON composite materials originates from the highly dense hydrogen bonds between PAA and PVPON and the reinforcement of in situ formed PAA-PVPON nanoparticles. The reversibility of the relatively weak but dense hydrogen bonds enables convenient healing of the mechanically strong PAA-PVPON composite materials from physical damage to restore their original mechanical strength.

A new human cadaver model for laparoscopic training using N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone: a feasibility study.

The demand for cadavers for clinical skills training is increasing. However, conventional formalin-fixed bodies are often unsuitable for surgical training because the tissues become too hard. We recently developed a new formalin-free embalming method with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (pyrrolidone) that has excellent fixative, disinfectant, and preservative properties, while still keeping tissues soft and pliable. In the study reported here we investigated the feasibility of laparoscopic manipulation using pyrrolidone-fixed cadavers. Donated cadavers were embalmed either with pyrrolidone (n = 7) or with formalin-containing fixative (n = 3). A laparoscopic 12-mm trocar was inserted into the umbilical region, and CO2 gas was insufflated. Intra-abdominal structures were observed with an endoscopic camera. In the pyrrolidone-embalmed cadavers, the abdomen remained soft and depressed. In addition, CO2 injection resulted in a marked expansion of the abdominal cavity, and it was possible to move the laparoscope freely in all directions. Clear endoscopic images of the abdominal viscera were obtained. The gallbladder and rectum were identified by grasping the surrounding organs with forceps. By contrast, in the formalin-fixed bodies, the abdominal wall was rigid, and it was difficult to move the laparoscope in the peritoneal space and observe structures in detail. The amount of CO2 and changes in abdominal diameter and circumference in response to CO2 injection were significantly larger in the pyrrolidone group. In conclusion, we successfully created a sufficient pneumoperitoneum state and obtained clear endoscopic images in the pyrrolidone-embalmed cadavers. Handling and dissection of the intra-abdominal structures with forceps closely replicated real-life surgery. These findings suggest the feasibility of laparoscopic training on cadavers embalmed with this pyrrolidone fixative.

Wide Range Morphological Transition of Silver Nanoprisms by Selective Interaction with As(III): Tuning–Detuning of Surface Plasmon Offers To Decode the Mechanism

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs) show an initial stacking geometry because of their low zeta potential and electrostatic interaction between face-to-face energetically stable {111} surface-bound pyrrolidone groups through the Na+-ion-induced cation−π interaction. Congested interplanar space between AgNPrs allows As(III) to react differentially with silver atoms from facial {111} and peripheral {110} facets to result in smaller stackings and finally nanoseeds. Above this critical concentration of As(III), PVP leached out from nanoparticles to form nanoseed-engulfed emulsions and induced controlled aggregation. This entire morphological transition has been decoded by recording their surface plasmon and surface-enhanced Raman scattering tuning and confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy study. Strong affinity and selectivity of As(III) toward the Ag atom (verified and estimated by the HF/3-21g* level of density functional theory calculation) coupled with low-cost colorime...

Synthesis and characterization of VP\u2013DMN polymeric sorbents

Porous copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) with 1,4-di(methacryloyloxymethyl) naphthalene (DMN) have been synthesized by suspension polymerization in the presence of inert diluent. They have different specific surface area and contain various amount of strongly polar pyrrolidone groups. Their sorptive properties have been studied using solution of p-chlorophenol. It was found that adsorption strongly depends on the copolymer polarity. Polymeric sorbents were characterized using elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, inverse gas chromatography and their porous structure was determined by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption method.

The Application of Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a Modifier of Tribological Properties of Lubricating Greases Based on Linseed Oil

The paper presents the research results on the relations between additive content and tribological, rheological, and oxidizing properties of lubricating greases. The greases were based on linseed oil, thickened with amorphous silica Aerosil® and modified with different concentration of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The greases were tested tribologically according to the test on T-02 testing machine and referred to the unmodified control. The evaluation of tribological properties was based on the following parameters: welding load, scuffing load, limiting load of wear, limiting load of scuffing, and limiting pressure of seizure. The results of tribological research revealed the most promising impact of the 3% addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone. All of the crucial parameters were improved in comparison to the unmodified control grease. The spectral analyses revealed that some of the components undergo oxidation during mechanical forces, leading to the formation of the oxidized organic compounds. These substances generated a layer, counteracting the wear of lubricated tribosystem. The improved resistance to oxidation of the tested lubricants with polyvinylpyrrolidone can be explained by the presence of highly hydrophilic pyrrolidone groups and hydrophobic alkyl group in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) molecule. These compounds combine with hydrocarbon chains of linseed oil and act synergistically with the silicon dioxide molecules. The introduction of polyvinylpyrrolidone caused the improvement in dynamic viscosity at lower shear rates and a significant change of viscosity in low temperatures. An increased value of the yield point of the tested lubricating compositions after introduction of the additive was also observed.

Predicting poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)'s solubility parameter and systematic investigation of the parameters of electrospinning with response surface methodology

ABSTRACTThe solubility parameters were used to choose the solvent for poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in electrospinning. In this study, a novel method for predicting the contribution value of the pyrrolidone group (a typical part of the PVP molecular structure) was proposed. The solubility parameters of PVP were calculated by this method, and accordingly, ethanol was chosen as the solvent for PVP. What is more, response surface methodology was used to facilitate a systematic investigation on the influence of the PVP solution concentration, feed rate, distance between the tip and collector, and operating voltage on the fiber diameter and morphology in electrospinning. The predicted fiber diameters by the response regression model, and the experimental values were in close proximity. The solution concentration and feed rate both had significant effects on the PVP fiber diameter, and there was some interaction between the solution concentration and the feed rate in this system. In addition, this study provided a train of thought for the electrospinning of polymer fibers with controllable and predictable fiber diameters. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40304.