Processing parameters for electrospinning poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/titanium isopropoxide composite in a pump-free setup

Abstract

Background: Electrospinning is a technique for producing nanofibers, useful in many fields of nanotechnology. The size and morphology of the nanofibers obtained depends on the polymer solution properties, the parameters of the equipment and the conditions of the surrounding. In almost all reported electrospinning set ups, a pump ,which regulates the flow of the polymer solution, has been included as one of the requirements. In this study, the effects of solution concentration, viscosity, voltage and the distance from the tip of the syringe to the aluminum collector on the morphology and diameters of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) fibers were investigated, using a pump-free electrospinning set up. Methods: Varied PMMA concentration (50 -120 mg/mL), voltage (10-18 kV) and distance (5 – 18 cm) of electrospinning were studied and the optimum electrospinning conditions identified.  PMMA/ titanium isopropoxide solution of ratio 1:2 was prepared, electrospun at optimized conditions (15 kV, 18 cm, Dichloromethane/Dimethylformamide 60:40) and the fibers obtained analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. Results: Solutions of PMMA whose concentrations were less than 50 mg/mL, produced beads on fibers, whereas those at ~ 100 mg/mL formed the best bead-free fibers of diameter 350±50 nm. The results showed a direct dependence of fiber diameter on the solution viscosity. Fibers of larger diameters were obtained when the distance from the tip of the syringe to the aluminum collector and voltage were increased but at higher distances (>18 kV) fewer fibers were collected. When the voltage was steadily increased, the fibers broadened and the diameters were non-uniform due to splaying and splitting. Increasing the distance between the pipette-tip and the collector from 10 to 18 cm resulted in reduced electric field which in turn yielded fewer fibers. Conclusions: The results obtained in a pump free set-up were comparable to those eletrospun in the presence of a pump.