An investigation on the effect of solution concentration, applied voltage and collection distance on electrospun fibres of PVA solutions

Iqbal, Tasawar (2011). An investigation on the effect of solution concentration, applied voltage and collection distance on electrospun fibres of PVA solutions. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

This study investigates the effect of parameters including increasing concentrations, applied voltage and collection distance using poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solutions on the fibre diameter and morphology of electrospun nanofibres. PVA solutions of 4%, 6% and 8% of mass percentage were used. The diameter and morphology of nanofibres formed were analysed under the Environmental Scanning Environmental Microscope (ESEM). The deposition rate and area were also analysed. At lower concentrations of PVA 4% and PVA 6% beaded fibres were formed. The average fibre diameter with PVA 4% ranged from 43-92nm, PVA 6% ranged from 72-128nm and with PVA 8% ranging from 144-215nm. Increasing the applied voltage produced thinner fibres with PVA 4%. With PVA 6%, at a shorter distance increasing the applied voltage increased the average fibre diameter from 18-20kV and at a longer distance decreased it. With PVA 8% increasing the applied voltage at a shorter distance decreased the average fibre diameter and at a longer distance slightly increased it. With increasing collection distance the average fibre diameter increased with PVA 4% using 8kV and 20kV. With PVA 6% at 18kV it increased with increasing collection distance, at 20kV decreases and at 12kV decreases from 7cm to 10cm. With PVA 8% the average fibre diameter increases with increasing collection distance. Results concluded that concentration had a significant effect on the fibre diameter and morphology. Altering the voltage and collection distance altered fibre diameter.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

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