Tailoring the surface of polymeric nanofibres generated by pressurised gyration Available to Purchase

Polymeric nanofibres with smooth, rough and porous surfaces were prepared by pressurised gyration, which is a novel method for producing nanofibres, utilising the combination of centrifugal spinning and solution blowing. A series of fibres were prepared by using polyacrylonitrile (Pan), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and 50:50 Pan–PMMA polymer solutions without pressure and with 0·2 MPa working pressure. The surface morphology of the nanofibres was analysed by scanning electron microscopy, and their thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetry and hot-stage microscopy. Nanofibres with a smooth surface were generated at 0·2 MPa working pressure, and those with a rough surface were generated without any working pressure. Porous Pan nanofibres were prepared by using PMMA as a sacrificial polymer. The 50:50 Pan–PMMA blend fibres were subjected to heat treatment to obtain porous fibres. The less thermally stable PMMA decomposes when heated, generating pores on the surface of the Pan fibres. The porous nanofibres have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio compared to smooth fibres, and these fibres could be useful in a variety of applications, such as tissue engineering, filtering and purification.