The melt electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) ultrafine fibers

MRS Online Proceedings Library volume 1134, Article number: 818 (2008) Cite this article

Abstract

Electrospinning is a technique of producing nanofibers from polymer solution/melt solely under the influence of electrostatic forces. In this research, we investigated the formation of nanofibers by melt electrospinning polycaprolactone (PCL). The effect of process parameters such as molecular weight, applied voltage, and electrode separation on the fiber diameter was investigated. Controlling the process parameters could help increase the proportion of ultrafine fibers in the melt electrospun nonwoven mat. The velocity of the straight jets was in the range of 0.2-1 m/s. The melt electrospun fibers were characterized with respect to fiber diameter, distribution, mechanical properties and birefringence. Melt electrospun polycaprolactone fibers had a diameter distribution of the order of 5 -20 μm. The birefringence of the melt electrospun fibers increased with decrease in fiber diameter.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Textiles, College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 02747, Dartmouth, MA, USA

    Chitrabala Subramanian, C. Ugbolue Samuel & Steven B. Warner

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS), Rice University, 6100 Main Street, 77005, Houston, TX, USA

    K. Patra Prabir

Authors
  1. Chitrabala Subramanian
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  2. C. Ugbolue Samuel
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  3. Steven B. Warner
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  4. K. Patra Prabir
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Correspondence to C. Ugbolue Samuel.

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Subramanian, C., Samuel, C.U., Warner, S.B. et al. The melt electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) ultrafine fibers. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1134, 818 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1134-BB08-18

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