Continuous electrospinning of polymer nanofibers of Nylon-6 using an atomic force microscope tip

Abstract

An atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe is successfully utilized as an electrospinning tip for fabricating Nylon-6 nanofibers. The nanometre-size tip enabled controlled deposition of uniform polymeric nanofibers within a 1 cm diameter area. Nylon-6 nanofibers were continuously electrospun at a solution concentration as low as 1 wt% Nylon-6 in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results of the AFM electrospun fibers indicated that the nanofibers predominantly display the meta-stable γ crystalline form suggesting rapid crystallization rate during the process. In addition to precise control over fiber deposition and diameter, some of the drawbacks of conventional electrospinning such as large volume of solutions and clogging of needles can be overcome using this AFM based electrospinning technique. Lastly, a comparison of electrospun fibers from syringe-needle based electrospinning and AFM probe-tip based electrospinning indicated significant morphological and microstructural differences in the case of AFM based electrospinning.

Measurement of size‐dependent glass transition temperature in electrospun polymer fibers using AFM nanomechanical testing

“…The origin of this glass transition suppression with smaller fiber diameters must be due to either structural or physical property variations in the PVA fibers with fiber diameter. Polymer chain alignment in electrospun fibers has been reported in previous literature25–27 but some of these works report a variation in the extent of polymer chain orientation along the principal fiber axis. Polymer chain alignment has been previously proposed as increasing as the elastic modulus of electrospun fibers increase with decreasing fiber diameter 28.…”

Self-Extinguishing and Non-Drip Flame Retardant Polyamide 6 Nanocomposite: Mechanical, Thermal, and Combustion Behavior

“…noted that the incorporation of nanoclay had no influence on the crystalline structure of the PA6: γ-form crystal is still the dominant crystal structure as characterized by its 2θ peak at 10.9° and 21.3° correspond to (020) and (002) planes of the γ phase crystal of PA6 [22]. The distinct peaks of FR additives at 9.1°, 14.7°, 18.6°, and 26.3° suggest that FR crystals are mixed within the PA6 without changing its crystalline structure.…”

Electrospinning of Nylon11: Effect of processing parameters on morphology and microstructure

“…Crystalline structure of Nylon polymers has been an area of extensive research for several decades [35][36][37][38]. Nylon exhibits different crystalline phases when subjected to thermal and chemical treatments.…”