ARS | Publication request: Controlled and high throughput fabrication of poly(trimethylene terphthalate) nanofibers via melt extrusion of immiscible blends.

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 18, 2010
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Repository URL: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/matchemphys
Citation: Xue, C., Wang, D., Xiang, B., Chiou, B., Sun, G. 2010. Controlled and High Throughput Fabrication of Poly(trimethylene terphthalate) Nanofibers via Melt Extrusion of Immiscible Blends. Electronic Publication. Volume 124(1)Pages 48-51.

Interpretive Summary: Polyester nanofibers were produced by extrusion with modified cellulose. These nanofibers can be produced at a high rate, unlike current techniques using electrospinning. The nanofibers can be used for applications such as protective clothing, filtration membrane, materials reinforcement, tissue engineering scaffold, and drug delivery.

Technical Abstract: Immiscible blends of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) were melt extruded through a two strand rod die. The extrudates were hot-drawn at the die exit at different draw ratios. PTT fibers were obtained by removal of the CAB matrix from the drawn extrudates, and the morphology evolution of the formed fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. PTT nanofibers with an average diameter of 55nm were produced by controlling the drawing ratio.