Effect of electrospinning parameters on the versatile production of polycaprolacton/gelatin nanofibre mats

Marwa Y Abdel Tawwab, Bothaina M Abdel-Hady, Rizk Abd El-Moneim Rizk and Medhat W Shafaa

Abstract

Nanofibrous mats were fabricated through blending of a synthetic polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL), and a natural one, gelatin (GT), using an electrospinning technique. Bicomponent of polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GT) nanofibers was successfully formed by using acetic acid/formic acid (AA/FA) solvent system. In the present study the working parameters were studied to understand the conversion of polymer solutions into nanofibers through electrospinning. Various experimental parameters, such as solution concentration, applied voltage, distance between the tip and collector and solvent ratio, were studied. Each of those parameters can affect the fibers morphologies and diameter and by proper control of those parameters we can fabricate electrospun fibers with desired morphologies and diameters. It was found that the adequate conditions for PCL/GT nanofibers electrospinning were detected for 18%wt concentration and 18 kV applied voltage at tip to collector distance of 12 cm at solvent ratio 90:10 of AA/FA