Effects of varying melt flow rates on laser melt‐electrospinning of low‐density polyethylene nanofibers
Mohammad Zakaria, Kanta Shibahara, Anamul Hoque Bhuiyan, Koji Nakane
Abstract
Abstract The ultimate functionality and applicability of polymeric nanofibers are mainly to subject on its diameter. This study explores the influence of melt flow rates (MFRs) of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) on the diameter of laser melt electrospun nanofibers. Ethylene‐vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer was added to the nonpolar LDPE as a spinning aid. After electrospinning, the EVOH was removed from LDPE/EVOH blend fiber by treating with isopropanol/water solution and LDPE nanofiber was obtained with a diameter of only 190 ± 85 nm for the highest MFR. A linear diameter reduction was observed for pure LDPE and EVOH removed LDPE fiber with the increase of MFR. However, a slight diameter increment was reported for the LDPE/EVOH blend fiber with higher MFR due to the improved melt viscosity of the component. A massive diameter decrement was found after EVOH removal from the blended fiber, resulting in the renovation of microfiber to a stable nanoscale dimension.