Fabrication of electrospun nanofiber from a blend of PVC and PHB

Abstract In this work, the fabrication process of electrospun nanofibers from a blend of polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been investigated. PVC/PHB nanofibers have been fabricated from solutions using different PVC and PHB ratios. The influence of technical parameters of the electrospinning process on the fabrication, morphology, and diameter of nanofibers has been evaluated. The chemical structure and thermal properties of PVC/PHB have been studied. The results show that the diameter of PVC/PHB nanofibers increases as the PHB content increases. In addition, the optimal technical parameters of the electrospinning process for each PVC and PHB ratio are different. Infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed an enhancement of the crystalline phase of the polymer composite with increasing PHB content. The thermal properties of PVC/PHB nanofibers were evaluated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The change in PHB ratios leads to a change in the glass transition temperature of PVC/PHB nanofibers. The thermal degradation process of PVC/PHB includes two steps. Increasing the PHB content leads to an enhancement in the mechanical strength of PVC/PHB nanofiber mats; however, it also results in a reduction in tensile elongation. Based on the results of structural, morphological, interaction analysis, and mechanical properties of PVC/PHB nanofibers, this study contributes to the optimization of the fabrication of nanofibers from PVC and PHB. PVC/PHB nanofibers have the potential to be used for air filtration applications.