Production of nanofibers from solution blow spinning (SBS)

The solution blow spinning technique was used, for the first time, to produce nanofiber of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The diameter of the nanofiber was smaller than that produced by the electrospinning process. This technique produces nanofibers on a rotating target by dragging a polymeric gel solution through a needle with heated concentric nozzles. The external nozzle, high-pressure air, pulls the polymeric solution through the internal nozzle. The gel polymeric solution is kept stirred, until used on a heated reservoir. The effect of working distance, injection pressure, and solution concentration was investigated. SEM images show that the diameters of the fibers produced ranged from 150 nm to 230 nm for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The results indicate that the average fiber diameter was influenced by the solution concentration, while the morphology of nanofibers was controlled by the injection pressure and the working distance. Additionally, the thermal behavior and hydrophobicity were evaluated.