Polymeric Nanofibers and Nanofiber Webs: A New Class of Nonwovens

Abstract

Nanofiber is a broad phrase generally referring to a fiber with a diameter less than 1 micron. While glass fibers have existed in the sub-micron range for some time and polymeric meltblown fibers are just beginning to break the micron barrier, 0.25 micron diameter electrospun nanofibers have been manufactured and used commercially for air filtration applications for more than twenty years. Several value-added nonwoven applications, including filtration, barrier fabrics, wipes, personal care, medical and pharmaceutical applications may benefit from the interesting technical properties of commercially available nanofibers and nanofiber webs. This paper will discuss the electrospinning process for making nanofibers and nonwoven nanofiber webs from synthetic fiber-forming polymers. The resulting physical characteristics of the nanofiber webs will be discussed. In order to provide a useful context for the nonwovens industry, nanofiber webs will be compared to both melt-blown and spunbond nonwovens. The description and comparison of the properties should provide product designers in the nonwovens industry with the tools to generate product and applications ideas about new uses for nanofibers.