The Analysis of Possibilities to Electrospin Nonwoven Mats from Pure PCL Nano/Micro Fibres

Abstract

Electrospinning is a simple technique for the production of nano to micro scale fibers. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is biocompatible aliphatic polyester with many possible applications in the medical field. PCL nanofibres, produced by electrospinning, could provide new characteristics that are of interest for medical applications. The aim of this study is to estimate the influence of solvents, solution concentrations, distance between electrodes and stirring time of polymer solution on structure of electrospun PCL mats. To electrospun mats from PCL is possible, when PCL polymer is dissolved in chloroform and tetrahydrofuran solvents. It was investigated that structure of electrospun nonwoven mats from PCL nano, microfibers depends from the concentration of polymer solution. The distance between electrodes do not have influence on diameter of electrospun PCL nano/ microfibers, but has influence on structure of electrospun mats. Stirring time of PCL solution has no significant influence on structure of PCL electrospun mats, but it was noticed, that stirring time has influence on PCL nanofibers diameter. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.3.1420

Keywords

• electrospinning
• nano/microfibers
• polycaprolactone PCL
• “NanospiderTM”