Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibres by electrospinning: influence of molecular weight on fibre shape

Abstract Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibres were obtained by electrospinning of PVA/water solutions. Formation of beaded fibres combined with decreased fibre diameters was observed for low PVA concentrations. Electrospinning of blends of PVA of different molecular weight resulted in less bead formation and smaller fibre diameters as compared to corresponding homopolymers of similar viscosity.