Molecular orientation evolution and solvent evaporation during electrospinning of atactic polystyrene using real-time Raman spectroscopy

Appl Spectrosc. 2011 Aug;65(8):858-65. doi: 10.1366/11-06235.

Abstract

Real-time Raman spectroscopy was successfully utilized to monitor solvent evaporation and molecular orientation during electrospinning of atactic polystyrene (a-PS). The use of a binary solvent system of N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) provided a stable, straight jet during the experiment. The prominent Raman bands centered at 866 cm(-1), 914 cm(-1), and 1004 cm(-1), unique to DMF, THF, and a-PS, respectively, were used to monitor solvent concentration changes along the electrospinning jet for two different a-PS solutions. In addition, the changes in relative intensity for the radial skeletal ring vibration of the aromatic group of a-PS at 623 cm(-1) in two different polarization geometries, ZZ and YY, were monitored for orientation information. This study reports the first quantitative vibrational spectroscopic measurement during the electrospinning process. A significant change in concentration and orientation was observed during the process. The changes are explained in relation to the electrospinning process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylformamide / chemistry
  • Equipment Design
  • Formamides / chemistry
  • Furans / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Nanofibers / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Formamides
  • Furans
  • Polystyrenes
  • Solvents
  • tetrahydrofuran
  • formamide
  • Dimethylformamide