Influence of solution concentration on recycled polycarbonate nanofibers produced by solution blow-spinning process: a short communication

Abstract

The recycling of polymeric materials is a sustainable alternative to reduce the use of virgin raw materials and avoid unnecessary disposal. A good example is its reprocessing through the solution blow-spinning (SBS) processing, which might produce nanofibers for coatings. This reprocessing technique has several advantages, such as lower production costs, a relatively simple system, and excellent yield. In this short communication, for the first time, three different solution concentrations, 5, 10 and 15 g/L of recycled polycarbonate (RPC) were solubilized with tetrahydrofuran solvent to produce nanofibers using the SBS technique. The nanofiber morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. SEM micrographs showed that at a concentration of 5 g/L RPC it was not possible to produce nanofibers. Although nanofibers were formed at 10 g/L RPC, the appearance of undesirable droplets was inevitable. The 15 g/L was found as the ideal lower concentration of RPC for production of nanofiber without droplets.

Keywords

• Recycled polycarbonate
• Solution blow-spinning
• Nanofiber
• Solution concentration