Fabrication and characterisation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanofibrous membranes

Four different polymers (Nylon 6, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile and copolymer polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) have been characterised with respect to their propensity to produce nanofibrous membranes using electrospinning. The study emphasises the optimisation of electrospinning parameters for all the polymers tested. Results show that the optimal electrospinning conditions were based on the right combination of polymer solution concentration (wt%) and applied voltages (kV). The solution concentration significantly affected solution viscosity, membrane morphology and membrane coverage area. The effect of applied voltages on membrane formation varied depending on the polymer used. The study also demonstrates the feasibility of electrospinning to enhance surface topography and wettability of the polymers tested.