Uniaxially aligned polyacrylonitrile nanofiber yarns prepared by a novel modified electrospinning method

A modified electrospinning setup was used to manufacture uniaxially aligned nanofiber yarns. Compared with the traditional electrospinning setup, two oppositely placed metal needles were employed and applied with positive and negative voltages respectively. Meanwhile, a neutral metal disc and hollow metal rod were placed oppositely in the middle of the two needles. Nanofibers, ejected from two needles were oriented in the gap between the metal disc and the tapered sharp end of hollow metal rod. A nanofiber bundle was obtained and twisted by rotating the metal disc and fastening the hollow metal rod. After passing through the hollow metal rod, a yarn was continuously wound by a rotating take-up roll. The morphologies of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber yarns were characterized. It was found that well-aligned nanofiber yarns with the diameters varying from 52 mu m to 105 mu m were fabricated successfully by turning PAN concentrations. In addition, the mechanical behavior test showed that the yarns possessed proper mechanical properties, which could be used for potential applications such as composites and tissue engineering. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.