Core‐Shell Nanofibers With Fire Retardant Properties Prepared By A Co‐Axial Electrospinning Technique

Abstract

A novel composite core‐shell nanofibers of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) as core incorporated with magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) and cellulose acetate (CA) as shell were prepared using co‐axial electrospinning technique. Core‐shell morphology of the prepared composite nanofibers was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and field emission‐SEM (FE‐SEM) imaging techniques and presence of metal oxide in core‐shell nanofibers was confirmed from the energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis. Further, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties of the prepared materials were studied with Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), tensile measurements, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Finally, fire retardant properties of the prepared nanofibers were studied by inclined flammability and limited oxygen index (LOI) testing. Higher mechanical strength and enhanced fire resistance was reported from the above thorough analysis and therefore, the prepared material could fit well in fire resistance applications.

Mapping the Influence of Solvent Composition over the Characteristics of Polylactic Acid Nanofibers Fabricated by Electrospinning

“…Electrospinning is a very common method for the fabrication of nanofibrous materials using various polymers under high electrical forces [1,2] . The field of electrospinning is advancing beyond the conventional single‐fluid blending process, encompassing more intricate techniques such as coaxial, side‐by‐side bi‐fluid, tri‐fluid coaxial, and side‐by‐side processes to engineer innovative nanofibers and nanostructures [3–6] . Even though each of the electrospinning methods have their own advantages a large amount of importance was placed on multiaxial electrospinning due to its ability to use several different spinners that allow the simultaneous injection of several different solutions one of which is directed to the core and the others are spun over it forming a core shell structure [7] .…”

“…[1,2] The field of electrospinning is advancing beyond the conventional single-fluid blending process, encompassing more intricate techniques such as coaxial, side-by-side bi-fluid, tri-fluid coaxial, and side-by-side processes to engineer innovative nanofibers and nanostructures. [3][4][5][6] Even though each of the electrospinning methods have their own advantages a large amount of importance was placed on multiaxial electrospinning due to its ability to use several different spinners that allow the simultaneous injection of several different solutions one of which is directed to the core and the others are spun over it forming a core shell structure. [7] Nevertheless, a significant concern pertains to the electrospinnability of working fluids, a parameter closely intertwined with the judicious selection of solvents.…”