Electrospun Cellulose Nitrate Nanofibers

Abstract

Cellulose nitrate nonwoven mats of submicron-sized fibers (100-1200 nm in diameter) were obtained by electrospinning cellulose nitrate solutions. Two solvent systems were evaluated. A 70:30 (wt) ratio of ethanol to acetone and a 60:40 (wt) ratio of tetrahydrofuran (THF) to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were studied. The effects of the two solvent systems, and type two different collectors; void gap, and steel drum coated with polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC), were investigated. The PVDC layer applied to the rotating drum aided in fiber harvesting. Electron microscopy (FESEM and ESEM) studies of as-spun fibers revealed that the morphology of cellulose nitrate fibers depended on the collector type and solution viscosity. When a rotating steel drum was employed a random morphology was observed, while the void gap collector produced aligned fiber mats. Increases in viscosity lead to larger diameter fibers.