Effect of Solution Conductivity and Surface Tension on Electrospun Polymeric Nanofibers

Polystyrene fibers were produced by the electrospinning technique. The effects of solution conductivity and surface tension on morphology and average diameter of electrospun fibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solutions of 10 and 12 % (w/v) polystyrene in dimethylformamide were prepared. Lithium Chloride and a non-ionic surfactant were used to change the conductivity and surface tension of the solutions respectively. The results indicate that increasing the solution conductivity, eliminates the bead formation and increases the fiber diameters. By reducing the concentration to 10% (w/v) and adding 0.1% LiCl, bead-free thin fibers were produced. Adding 0.1% surfactant reduces the solution surface tension and results in smaller beads

Keywords:

Electrospinning , Polystyrene , Electrical conductivity , Surface tension , Bead