Premium
Electrospun Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with Biocidal Additives for Application in Filter Media, 1–Properties Affecting Fibre Morphology and Characterisation
Author(s) -
Gule jabulo Prudence,
de Kwaadsteniet Michele,
Cloete Thomas Eugene,
Klumperman Bert
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201100275
Subject(s) - vinyl alcohol , materials science , scanning electron microscope , morphology (biology) , electrospinning , composite material , aqueous solution , biocide , membrane , viscosity , chemical engineering , surface tension , nanofiber , polymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , biology
Aqueous solutions of PVA containing the biocide AquaQure are electrospun into nanofibrous membranes with antimicrobial properties. AquaQure contains, amongst others, Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ ions. Fibre morphology is observed under a scanning electron microscope, and effects of instrument parameters and solution characteristics on the morphology of electrospun PVA fibres are investigated. The average fibre diameter can be varied from 87 ± 14 to 246 ± 50 nm. It is found that addition of AquaQure has significant effects on fibre diameter due to changes in solution conductivity, surface tension and viscosity. The presence of AquaQure in the fibres is confirmed via several techniques.