Effect of LiCl and non-ionic surfactant on morphology of polystyrene electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

Polystyrene fibers were produced by the electrospinning technique. The effects of solution conductivity, surface tension and concentration on morphology and average diameter of electrospun fibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solutions of 12, 10, 8, 6% (w/v) polystyrene in dimethylformamide were prepared. Lithium Chloride and a non-ionic surfactant were used to change the conductivity and surface tension of the solutions, respectively. The results indicate that increasing the solution conductivity eliminates the bead formation and increases the fiber diameters. By addition of salt, fine and consistent fibers could be produced from electrospinning of 8% (w/v) PS/DMF solution. Adding 0.1% surfactant reduces the solution surface tension and results in smaller beads and higher fiber diameters. By increasing the amount of surfactant to 0.3%, big beads and thinner fibers are produced.