Fabrication of polyvinylidene fluoride tree like nanofiber via one step electrospinning
Abstract A novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) tree like nanofiber was controllably fabricated via one step electrospinning by adding certain amount of salt into PVDF solution. A possible mechanism for the formation of the tree like nanofibers was proposed by analyzing high speed camera photos of the spin jet and the result showed that the formation of tree like nanofibers was due to the splitting of jets. The effects of salt type, salt content and processing parameter on the content of tree like branches were investigated. The electrospun nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE SEM) energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) X ray diffraction (XRD) pore size meter and mechanical properties measurement. It was found that the PVDF/TBAC tree like nanofibers with improved crystallinity and mechanical strength. The decreased average pore size caused by the tree like structure and the resistance to organic solvent, can make it as a potential candidate for membrane separation.