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Chain extension in electrospun polystyrene fibres: a SANS study

Mohan, S. D., Mitchell, G. R. and Davis, F. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0462-872X (2011) Chain extension in electrospun polystyrene fibres: a SANS study. Soft Matter, 7. pp. 4397-4404. ISSN 1744-683X

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1039/c0sm01442g

Abstract/Summary

Small angle neutron scattering techniques were used to quantify the size and shape of the chain conformation in electrospun fibres of atactic polystyrene prepared from solutions in methyl ethyl ketone. Aligned arrays of fibres were collected onto a rotating collector with tangential velocity varying between 0 ms-1 and approximately 15 ms-1. The measured radii of gyration of the polystyrene chains were found to be slightly higher than that expected for samples prepared from solutions in the concentrated regime. The ratio of the radius of gyration parallel and perpendicular to the chain axis was found to be approximately 1.05 in contrast to the substantial macroscopic shape transformation intrinsic to electrospinning. When the tangential velocity of the rotating collector was greater than the flight velocity of the fibres (ca. 4 ms-1), a further extension of the polymer chains was observed with a ratio of the radii of gyration increasing to 1.20 at the highest collector speeds. It is proposed that the heterogeneous processes involved, particularly solvent evaporation and the formation of a polymer skin during electrospinning play a significant role in determining the level of molecular anisotropy in the fibres.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry
Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) > Electron Microscopy Laboratory (CAF)
ID Code:19563
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry

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