ELECTROSPINNING: OPTIMAL PARAMETERS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL NANOFIBERS

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning technique. The analysis performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) shows that when the needle-collector distance increases, the average diameters of the fibers obtained decrease. It is also observed that as the concentration of the polymer solution increases, the average fibers' diameter increases, and there is a reduction in the generation of bead-shaped defects. An applied voltage of 19 kV, a needle-collector distance of 11 cm, an injection rate of 1 µL / h, relative humidity of 30%, a temperature of 30 ºC, atmospheric pressure and a solution of 6.66% (w/V) are established as optimal parameters for obtaining nanofibers of homogeneous diameter and free of defects. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra obtained for the membrane produced by electrospun nanofibers show the same functional groups present in a solid PVAL membrane without electrospinning; however, their transmittance peaks are more intense.