Two-nozzle electrospinning of (MWNT/PU)/PU nanofibrous composite mat with improved mechanical and thermal properties

Composite nanofibrous mat composed of neat polyurethane (PU) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyurethane (MWNT/PU) nanofibers have been fabricated by one-step angled two-nozzle electrospinning. The morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the electrospun nanofibers were evaluated. The diameters of electrospun neat PU and composite nanofibers ranged from 239 to 1058 nm. The two-nozzle electrospun (MWNT/PU)/PU composite nanofibers showed curly, and randomly-oriented fibers with interfiber bonding, and were generally bigger in size than single-nozzle electrospun nanofibers. The tensile strength of the neat PU composite nanofiber mat obtained from two-nozzle electrospinning was 25% higher than that obtained from neat PU single-nozzle electrospinning. The incorporation of MWNTs in the composite nanofiber increased the tensile strength by as much as 64% without reducing elongation, made the composite nanofiber more thermally stable, and improved the melting zone. The present results showed that side-by-side angled two-nozzle electrospinning can improve the quality of the electrospun nanofibers that could have potential application in different fields such as filtration, protective clothing and tissue engineering. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.