Effect of concentration, voltage, take-over distance and diameter of pinhead on precursory poly (phenylene vinylene) electrospinning

Purpose - To study the effect of concentration, voltage, take-over distance and diameter of pinhead, etc. on precursory poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) electrospinning, in order to improve uniformity and achieve desired ultra-fibre. Design/methodology/approach - Various ultra-fibres were prepared under different conditions aiming at revealing the major effective factors. Thus, various ultra-fibres were made at different concentrations of precursory PPV, by changing voltage and take-over distance, etc. Diameter and morphology of ultra-fibres were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Findings - A method of preparation of PPV nanofibres with the PPV precursor, via electrospinning method, was introduced. The effects of concentration of PPV, voltage, take-over distance, diameter of pinhead on the diameter and morphology of the fibres were studied. It was found that solution concentration was the major factor, as indicated by the result that it should be above 0.4 per cent by weight (wt%). Different voltage, concentration, distance, and diameter of pinhead, etc. also affect the distribution and dimension of PPV ultra-fibres to an extent. Research limitation/implications - The polymeric ultra-fibre, PPV, used in the present context was electrospun from precursory PPV, which was not well ordered. Therefore, other parallel nanofibres of PPV can also be used to improve the end - product. Practical implications - The method provided a simple and practical technology for forming nanofibres of any kind of materials. Originality/value - Electrospinning of precursory PPV was creative in methodology and can be used in the preparation of solar cell, non-linear optics, conducting and semi-conducting materials.