A Design of Experiments (DoE) Approach to Material Properties Optimization of Electrospun Nanofibers

Using an electrospinning technique, polymer materials have been spun using electrostatic potential to create a fiber mat. To develop the electrospinning opportunities available for practical applications, it is important that a full understanding of process parameters is achieved. These fundamental principles will form the initial framework of future research with the effects on polymer output examined as the primary focus of this article. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and polylactic acid (PLA) polymer solutions were developed and a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach implemented, to determine whether the variation of factors led to significant effects on fiber output. Parameters altered were conductivity, concentration (% w/w), electrostatic potential, and the collection distance at which the fiber was obtained. Results taken considered the fiber diameter, deposition rate of material, current achieved at the point of collection and whether or not the material was actually able to electrospin and visibly produce polymer fiber. The results of this work indicate the presence of interactions between the processing parameters and as such allow a fine tuning process to be used to adapt production of the micro- and nanofibers to suit a desired application with specific materials properties. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2251-2257, 2010