Optimization of mechanical and structural properties of PVA nanofibers

In the present study, nanoscaled poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers were prepared by electrospinning. An attempt has been made to examine the effects of different process parameters on the mean fiber diameter and tensile strength of poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibers. Mean fiber diameter and strength of nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and universal testing machine, respectively. Response surface methodology was used to establish a quantitative basis for the relationships between the electrospinning parameters such as solution concentration, applied voltage and spinning distance with the diameter of prepared nanofibers and their tensile strength to predict the optimum conditions. The relationships between the responses and the variables were visualized by contour plots. According to the results, solution concentration was found to be the most significant parameters affecting nanofiber diameter. There was no significant difference between the effects of parameters on tensile strength. The fiber diameter increased, but tensile strength decreased by increasing the concentration of the polymer solution. The predicted fiber diameter and strength were in good agreement with the experimental results.