Some of the work was done in Materials Science and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Twente when the author worked there as a visiting scholar.
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Full Paper
Process Optimization and Empirical Modeling for Electrospun Poly(D,L-lactide) Fibers using Response Surface Methodology
Article first published online: 27 OCT 2005
DOI: 10.1002/mame.200500215
Copyright © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Issue
Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
Volume 290, Issue 11, pages 1097–1105, November 4, 2005
Additional Information
How to Cite
Gu, S.-Y. and Ren, J. (2005), Process Optimization and Empirical Modeling for Electrospun Poly(D,L-lactide) Fibers using Response Surface Methodology. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 290: 1097–1105. doi: 10.1002/mame.200500215
Publication History
- Issue published online: 27 OCT 2005
- Article first published online: 27 OCT 2005
- Manuscript Accepted: 5 AUG 2005
- Manuscript Revised: 4 AUG 2005
- Manuscript Received: 15 JUN 2005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- average fiber diameter;
- electrospinning;
- fibers;
- morphology;
- poly(D,L-lactide);
- response surface methodology
Abstract
Summary: Ultrafine fibers were spun from poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLA) solution using a homemade electrospinning set-up. Fibers with diameter ranging from 350 to 1 900 nm were obtained. Morphologies of fibers and distribution of fiber diameters were investigated varying concentration and applied voltage by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average fiber diameter and distribution were determined from about 100 measurements of the random fibers with an image analyzer (SemAfore 5.0, JEOL). A more systematic understanding of process parameters of the electrospinning was obtained and a quantitative relationship between electrospinning parameters and average fiber diameter was established by response surface methodology (RSM). It was concluded that the concentration of polymer solution played an important role in the diameter of fibers and standard deviation of fiber diameter. Lower concentration tended to facilitate the formation of bead-on-string structures. Fiber diameter tended to increase with polymer concentration and decrease with applied voltage. Fibers with lower variation in diameter can be obtained at lower concentration regardless of applied voltage. Fibers with uniform diameter and lower variation in diameter can be obtained at higher concentration and higher applied voltage. Process conditions for electrospinning of PDLA could be chosen according to the model in this study.