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The Melt Electrospinning of Polycaprolactone (PCL) Ultrafine Fibers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Chitrabala Subramanian ,
Samuel C. Ugbolue ,
Steven B. Warner  and
Prabir K. Patra
Chitrabala Subramanian
Affiliation:
chitra2@gmail.com, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Department of Materials and Textiles, 02747, Massachusetts, United States
Samuel C. Ugbolue
Affiliation:
sugbolue@umassd.edu, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Department of Materials and Textiles, 02747, Massachusetts, United States
Steven B. Warner
Affiliation:
swarner@umassd.edu, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Department of Materials and Textiles, 02747, Massachusetts, United States
Prabir K. Patra
Affiliation:
prabir@rice.edu, Rice University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS), 77005, Texas, United States
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Abstract

Electrospinning is a technique of producing nanofibers from polymer solution/melt solely under the influence of electrostatic forces. In this research, we investigated the formation of nanofibers by melt electrospinning polycaprolactone (PCL). The effect of process parameters such as molecular weight, applied voltage, and electrode separation on the fiber diameter was investigated. Controlling the process parameters could help increase the proportion of ultrafine fibers in the melt electrospun nonwoven mat. The velocity of the straight jets was in the range of 0.2-1 m/s. The melt electrospun fibers were characterized with respect to fiber diameter, distribution, mechanical properties and birefringence. Melt electrospun polycaprolactone fibers had a diameter distribution of the order of 5 -20 μm. The birefringence of the melt electrospun fibers increased with decrease in fiber diameter.

Keywords

polymerfibernanostructure
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1134: Symposium BB – Polymer-Based Smart Materials–Processes, Properties and Application , 2008 , 1134-BB08-18
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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