Solvent control of cellulose acetate nanofibre felt structure produced by electrospinning

摘要

Non-woven structures of cellulose acetate (CA) fibres of 90 nm–5 μm in diameter (spinning parameters 90 nm beaded fibres: 12% CA in EtOH-DMSO 1/1, 22 kV, 30 cm, 0.5 mL/h; maximum 5 μm diameter fused fibres spun with 14% CA in Ac-BenzOH 2/1, 22 kV, 24 cm, 13 mL/h) were produced by electrospinning. On the basis of Hansen solubility theory, composition of binary solvent mixtures (ketones—acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and alcohols—benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol and dimethylsulphoxide) was optimized with respect to control of fibre felt morphology. Fibre networks of high packing density were obtained with binary low-volatile alcohols/MEK solvent mixtures, a decreased spinning distance and an increased feed rate. Substituting MEK by acetone in the solvent mixture resulted in the formation of nanofibre felt with a low degree of fibre cross-links. Thus, solvent control is a key aspect for control of electrospun fibre felt structures, which may serve as scaffolds for tissue engineering.