Synthesis and characterization of electrospun PVDF/PMMA and PVDF/PS nanofibrous membrane

• Main Authors: Mahant, Yogita, Ahake, Aniket, Tajne, Dhanshri, Bhange, Vaishnavi
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bonding strength; Chemical bonds; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Electrospinning; Fluorides; Fourier transforms; Infrared analysis; Ion currents; Membranes; Molecular structure; Polymer blends; Polymethyl methacrylate; Polystyrene resins; Room temperature; Structural analysis; Thermogravimetric analysis; Vinylidene; Vinylidene fluoride
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0224497

Electrospinning was utilised to construct nanofiber membranes consisting of Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride)/Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)/(PVdF/PMMA) and Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride)/Polystyrene/(PVDF/PS) blends. The crystal structure and surface morphology of electrospun PVDF/PMMA/PS mix nanofibrous membranes were investigated using SEM, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) spectroscopy. According to the findings, the addition of PMMA to PVDF reduced the fibre diameter of the electrospun mix fibrous membranes when compared to pure PVDF fibres. This suggests that the presence of PMMA impacted the electrospinning process, causing finer fibres to develop in the mix. The characterization results indicated that the electrospun blend fibrous membranes exhibited a reduced crystallinity when PMMA was added. This suggests that the presence of PMMA disrupted the crystalline structure of PVDF, potentially due to differences in molecular structures and interactions between PVDF and PMMA. The results showed good molecular-level interaction between PVDF and PMMA in the blend fibrous membranes. This suggests that the two polymers exhibited compatibility and formed strong intermolecular bonds, resulting in improved interaction and properties of the blend. The maximum ionic conductivity of 1.22 x 10-2 Scm−1 at room temperature was observed in the electrospun PVDF/PMMA/PS (80/20/00) blend fibrous membranes. This indicates that the addition of PMMA enhanced the ionic conductivity of the blend. The improved ionic conductivity may be attributed to the formation of ion-conductive pathways within the blend’s structure facilitated by the presence of PMMA. It was determined that the addition of PMMA improved the electrolyte uptake in the blend fibrous membranes.