Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
4805496 
Journal Article 
Electrospinning of sodium alginate with poly(ethylene oxide) 
Lu, JWei; Zhu, YL; Guo, ZXia; Hu, P; Yu, J 
2006 
1 
Polymer
ISSN: 0032-3861 
47 
23 
8026-8031 
WOS:000242416700021 
Another natural biopolymer, sodium alginate, has been electrospun from aqueous solution by blending with a non-toxic, biocompatible, synthetic polymer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The interaction between sodium alginate and PEO has been evidenced by FIFIR and conductivity change, which is thought to be the main reason for the successful electrospinning. The solution properties of sodium alginate/PEO blends have been measured, including viscosity, conductivity and surface tension. The morphology and mechanical properties of the electrospun mats have been investigated. Smooth fibers with diameters around 250 nm are obtained from 3% solutions of varied alginate/PEO proportions ranging from 1:1 to 0:1. Tensile strength around 4 MPa is found with smooth fiber mats. The anti-water property of the electrospun mats has been improved by a combination of hexamethylene diisocyanate and aqueous calcium chloride cross-linkings. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
electrospinning; sodium alginate; poly(ethylene oxide)