Electrospinning of agar/PVA aqueous solutions and its relation with rheological properties. (22nd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sousa, Ana M.M.; Souza, Hiléia K.S.; Uknalis, Joseph; Liu, Shih-Chuan; Gonçalves, Maria P.; Liu, LinShu
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 115(2015)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2015-01-22
• Subjects: Agar -- PVA -- Electrospinning -- Tubeless spinneret -- Rheology -- Nanofibers; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.08.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Agar/PVA nanofibers were successfully produced by electrospinning. A tubeless spinneret was attached inside the electrospinning chamber, set at 50 °C. PVA was used as co-blending polymer. PVA addition significantly improved the solutions' spinnability. Best nanofibers were obtained with 30/70 and 20/80 agar/PVA blends. Abstract: In this work, we report the successful fabrication of agar-based nanofibers by electrospinning technique, using water as solvent media. A tubeless spinneret was attached inside the electrospinning chamber, operating at 50 °C, to avoid agar gelation. Agar pure solution (1 wt%) showed inadequate spinnability regardless of the used electrospinning conditions. The addition of a co-blending polymer such as PVA (10 wt% starting solution) improved the solutions viscoelasticity and hence, the solutions spinnability. Agar/PVA solutions were prepared with different mass ratios (100/0, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 20/80 and 0/100) and electrospun at various sets of electrospinning conditions. Best nanofibers were obtained with 30/70 and 20/80 agar/PVA blends while samples with higher agar contents (50/50 and 40/60 agar/PVA) were harder to process and led to discontinuous fibrous mats. This first set of encouraging results can open a new window of opportunities for agar-based biomaterials in the form of nanofibers.