Electrospinning of high-molecule PEO solution

Yu-Qin Wan
Ji-Huan He, Donghua University
Jian-Yong Yu
Yue Wu

Abstract

Electrospinning is a simple but powerful method for making nanofibers that can then be collected to create porous mats. We expand the range of this technique by making nanofibers from macromolecules with a molecular weight of 3,000,000, namely poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Gelation of PEO blocks its spinning by traditional electrospinning. PEO was mixed with pure alcohol, and in specific concentration 10 wt % and under vibration condition, the mixed solution behaves like polymers for electrospinning, the average diameter of the obtained nanofibers is about 100 nm. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3840-3843, 2007