Effect of solvent and processing parameters on electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone ultra-fine fibers

Electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (MW ~ 1.3 x 10⁶ g/mol) ultra-fine fibers with diameters from 200 to 1400 nm were successfully fabricated from the 20 %w/w PVP in the mixtures of ethanol and water. The effects of solvent compositions, the applied voltages (10, 12, 14 and 16 kV) and the electrical polarities (both negative and positive) on their diameters and morphology were investigated. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that, to obtain neat fibers with small diameters, the positive polarity and high potential should be applied. In addition, the fiber diameter increased with increasing the amount of ethanol.