Fabrication of Electrospun Meta-aramid Nanofibers in Different Solvent Systems

Meta-aramid fibers were dissolved in four different solvent systems (DMAc, DMF, NMP, and DMSO) and two kinds of salts (LiCl and CaCl2) were also introduced in this paper. Meta-aramid fibers had a limited solubility in above four solvents, however, fast dissolution could be obtained after adding a certain amount of salt (LiCl or CaCl2). The concentration of salts was found to be an important role in affecting meltaging, dissolving time and viscosity of electrospun solution. Electrospun meta-aramid nanofibers mats were successfully prepared. A series of characterizations had been carried out by using SEM. The results shows the diameter of meta-aramid nanofibers ranging from 100 to 500 nm. The average diameter of the nanofibers increased with the concentration of meta-aramid fiber solution and the salt solution. A preferable morphology of meta-aramid nanofibers could be obtained under LiCl/DMAc system. While the electrospun nanofibers made in CaCl2/DMAc solvent system had a better performance in thermal stability than that prepared in LiCl/DMAc system. Among the four kinds of prepared nanofibers, the nanofibersmat electrospun in LiCl/DMAc system with a concentration of meta-aramid solution at 11 wt% exhibit the best mechanical properties.