Nanomaterials (May 2018)

An Experimental Approach to the Synthesis and Optimisation of a ‘Green’ Nanofibre

  • Md. Nahid Pervez,
  • George K. Stylios

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8060383
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 6
p. 383

Abstract

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Currently, green-based materials are receiving attention in a quest to achieve a sustainable environment for human life. Herein, we report an investigation of developing a simple novel green nanofibre by using H2O2-assisted water soluble chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (WSCHT/PVA) in the presence of water as an eco-friendly solvent. The effect of various process parameters on the mean fibre diameter was investigated based on the Taguchi L9 ( 3 4 ) orthogonal array experimental design. Optimal process parameters were determined using the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of diameter according to the ‘smaller-the-better’ concept. Accordingly, the smallest fibre diameter observed was 122 nm and it was yielded at solution concentration of 10%; a voltage of 16 kV; a flow rate of 0.7 mL h−1; and a collection distance of 8 cm. The implications of a green environmentally sustainable material impact on a number of diverse end uses.

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