Production of core-sheath nanofiber yarn using two opposite asymmetric nozzles

In this study, a new design of electrospinning is presented to produce core-sheath and hollow nanofiber yarns. Sample core-sheath nanofiber yarns were produced from PVA nanofibers as core and PA6 nanofibers as sheath. PVA portion was extracted by treating in boiled water from the core of yarn structure and a PA6 hollow nanofiber yarn was resulted. The surface structure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also the mechanical properties of these yarns were investigated. The results showed that the PA6 nanofiber diameter in core-sheath and hollow nanofiber yarn was ranging from 92 +/- 20 and 109 +/- 23 nm, respectively. SEM images confirmed the core-sheath and hollow structure of these nanofiber yarns clearly. Examination of the strength of the core-sheath and hollow nanofiber yarn by tensile tester was carried out and resulted in 59.60 +/- 9.32 and 83.90 +/- 16.88 MPa respectively. These yarns have potential applications in various fields such as tissue engineering and drug delivery.