Control of inter-fiber fusing for nanofiber webs via electrospinning

Abstract

Electrospinning provides a viable method to produce both single fibers and mats of nonwoven fibers. For a nonwoven mat, fusing of the fibers at intersections produces an integrated structure. The ability to spin fibrous mats of nanofibers with and without fusing between the fibers is demonstrated using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibers. The fusing was controlled by adjusting the amount of water vapor in the surrounding environment. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images were used to evaluate the percent of fused fibers in the mat and the diameters of fibers. The major finding of this work is that fusing of fibers can be controlled during formation of a nanofibrous mat via electrospinning in a controlled environment.