Analysis of the influence of electrospinning process parameters on the morphology of poly(lactic acid) fibres

Abstract

Purpose: The article focuses on the production of polymer nanofibres from poly(lactic acid) using the electro-spinning method, i.e. the technique of forming fibres in an electrostatic field. The main aim of the publication was to analyse the influence of the distance between electrodes on the morphology of one-dimensional polymeric materials obtained. Design/methodology/approach: In the practical part of the study solutions of polylactide in acetone and a mixture of chloroform/dimethylformamide (DMF) were produced. After 72 hours of mixing, no homogeneous solutions were obtained, therefore a solution consisting of a polylactide dissolved in chloroform was prepared, to which dimethylformamide was added in order to dilute the mixture. The morphology of the nanostructures obtained was analysed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an X-ray energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS), which allowed to analyse the chemical composition of the nanofibres produced. The electro-spinning method used to obtain fibres is characterized by high versatility - it gives the possibility to produce fibres from a wide range of polymers. Electro-spinning is also an economic method, and spinned fibres have a wide application potential. Findings: Nanofibres obtained by electro-spinning from the previously produced solution, regardless of the distance between the nozzle and the collector (10 or 20 cm) did not show any significant discrepancies in the values of measured diameters. Fibres obtained at increased distance between electrodes (20 cm) are characterized by a smaller average diameter value, but the difference is small, fluctuating between 48-49 nm. In the case of the sample formed during electro-spinning at the distance of the nozzle - collector equal to 10 cm and the sample produced at the distance doubled, no defects in the structure of the obtained nanofibres were observed. The analysis of topographic images of surfaces produced in the course of nanostructures' work did not show any significant influence of the distance between the nozzle and collector on the diameter of fibres. No defects in the structure of one-dimensional polymer materials obtained allowed to state that the distance between the nozzle and the collector in the range of 10-20 cm is the optimal parameter of the electro-spinning process allowing to obtain smooth, untangled fibres. Practical implications: The fibrous polymer mats obtained during the electro-spinning process of polylactide can be used as protective clothing materials, as drug delivery systems, as tissue scaffolding and as filtration membranes. Originality/value: At present, there are few articles in the literature on the electrospinning process, due to the fact that it is a constantly developing matte for the production of nanofibres. Moreover, most of the research focuses on fibres obtained from nonbiodegradable polymers, which do not have the advantages of fibres obtained from polylactide.

Biofunctionalization of Textile Materials. 2. Antimicrobial Modification of Poly(lactide) (PLA) Nonwoven Fabricsby Fosfomycin

“…Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) presents the routine technique for morphological investigations of polylactide nonwovens, both electrospin PLA [66][67][68][69][70][71] as well as melt-blown PLA [72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] fibers. Scanning electron microscopy spectra of polylactide nonwoven and polylactide nonwoven coated with Fosfomycin modifier are presented in Figures 2 and 3, respectively.…”

Biofunctionalization of Textile Materials. 3. Fabrication of Poly(lactide)-Potassium Iodide Composites with Antifungal Properties

“…Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a routine technique for morphological tests of poly(lactide) nonwovens, including both electrospun PLA [58,59] as well as melt-blown PLA [60][61][62][63] fibers. SEM micrographs of uncoated PLA fibers, coated without KI (PLA-SM) fibers and coated with 2% potassium iodide (PLA-SM-KI (2%)) fibers are presented in Figures 5-7, respectively.…”

Investigations on the antimicrobial activity of chitosan/PVA nanoparticle loaded nanofibers

“…Acetic acid is one of the solvents which works well with CH and increases its spinnability (Salazar-Brann et al , 2015). The parameters such as molecular weight of the polymer, voltage, viscosity, flow rate, humidity, temperature, surface charge density, surface tension and distance between the tip and the collector are significant during electrospinning and have to be optimized carefully (Rodoplu and Mutlu, 2012; Matysiak et al , 2017).…”