Electrospinning of thermo-regulating ultrafine fibers based on polyethylene glycol/polyamide6 composite

The ultrafine phase change composite fibers based on polyethylene glycol/polyamide6 (PEG/PA6) blends with 150/100 PEG/PA6 volume ratio, in which PA6 acts as polymer matrix and PEG acts as phase change material, were fabricated via electrospinning. The effect of voltage on fibers’ morphology, were investigated through this study. Themorphology of composite fibers, were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results indicate thatPEG/PA6 composite fibers possessed good morphology with smooth surface, uniform diameter distribution andwithout bead. Additionally SEM results suggest that the average diameters of PEG/PA6 composite fibers become slightly larger and non-uniform by increasing voltage. Heat treatment analysis results show that PEG was completely encapsulated in the matrix of PA6. Therefore, the electrospun PEG/PA6 phase change composite fibers are suitable for thermal energy storage and temperature regulation, thus they have potential applications in smart textiles, medicine cares and electric devices.

Keywords:

Phase change fibers , polyethylene glycol , polyamide6 , electrospinning , voltage