Core-sheath structure in electrospun nanofibers from polymer blends

Electrospinning of polymer blends offers the potential to prepare functional nanofibers for use in a variety of applications. This work focused on control of the internal morphology of nanofibers prepared by electrospinning polymer blends to obtain core-sheath structures. Polybutadiene/polystyrene, poly(methylmethacrylate)/polystyrene, polybutadiene/poly (methylmethacrylate), polybutadiene/polycarbonate, polyaniline/polycarbonate, and poly(methylmethacrylate)/polycarbonate blends were electrospun from polymer solutions. It was found that the formation of core-sheath structures depends on both thermodynamic and kinetic factors. Incompatibility and large solubility parameter difference of the two polymers is helpful for good phase separation, but not sufficient for the formation of core-sheath structures. Kinetic factors, however, play a much more important role in the development of the nanofiber morphology. During the electrospinning process, the rapid solvent evaporation requires systems with high molecular mobility for the formation of core-sheath structures. It was found that polymer blends with lower molecular weight tend to form core-sheath structures rather than co-continuous structures, as a result of their higher molecular mobility. Rheological factors also affect the internal phase morphology of nanofibers. It was observed the composition with higher viscosity was always located at the center and the composition with lower viscosity located outside.