# Producing Polymer Fibers by Electrospinning in Supercritical Fluids

Authors: Lu Li; Zhao Jiang; Qi Pan; Tao Fang
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2013)

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## Abstract

Nanofibers have a wide range of applications, including filtration and biomedical engineering. Porous or hollow fibers with large surface-to-volume ratios are more popular in some fields than the common nanofibers. Porous nanofibers can be obtained through electrospinning with highly volatile solvents or through special treatment following electrospinning. A new process where electrospinning is conducted in supercritical or near-critical CO2 to produce porous or hollow nanofibers has been summarized. In addition, a process entailing compressed N2-assisted electrospinning was attempted to produce PVP nanofibers in this work, but it was proved to be unsuccessful. Since the fiber morphologies are dependent on the phase behavior of organic solvents in supercritical fluids, ASPEN PLUS 2006 was used to simulate the phase equilibrium of the solvent-supercritical fluid system to explain why porous or hollow fibers can be obtained in compressed CO2, but not in compressed N2.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Electrospinning is one of the most intriguing and efficient processes used to produce a variety of polymer fibers. Besides, fiber diameters can range from several microns to tens of nanometers, and as small as 10 nm [1–3]. The electrospinning process uses a high electrical field to induce charged polymer droplets. As the solution jet travels, it is elongated and whipped continuously by the electrical force, accompanied by the evaporation of solvent. The fibers are formed when they are deposited on the oppositely charged collector [4–6].In general, fibers, produced by electrospinning, have a smooth surface and solid-core cross-section. These fibers have been used in protective clothing, filtration, catalysis, biosensors, tissue engineering, and so forth [7–9]. In addition, the special performance of nanofibers can be enhanced as specific surface area increases. Consequently, fibers that possess specific structures, such as hollow, core-sheath, and porous surface, can offer advantage for a number of applications. For instance, these “special fibers” are ideal alternatives in drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, filter applications, or as templates for forming functional nanotubes [10–13].Nowadays, porous polymer fibers or fibers with a large specific surface area have been produced using a special electrospinning process [14, 15]. Bognitzki et al. [16] initially reported that porous nanofibers could be directly fabricated by electrospinning. The mechanism that generates the pore structure of the fibers during electrospinning is a phase separation caused by rapid evaporation of the system’s solvent leading to the subsequently rapid solidification of polymer [16, 17]. However, a second mechanism responsible for formation of pores in these fibers is under consideration is the “breath figure” [18–20]. It has been demonstrated that the humidity of the experimented environment directly affects the surface morphology of electrospun fibers [19, 20]. Meanwhile, porous polymer fibers can also be produced through electrospinning polymer blends, followed by selective removal of one of the components [21]. In conclusion, the after processing is usually solvent extraction [22–24], thermal treatment [25], light crosslinking [26, 27], and chemical reaction [10, 28].Supercritical fluid has been successfully exploited to form microstructure in polymer processing. Process examples include, supercritical foaming [29, 30] and emulsion templating [31]. It is noticeable that nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) is another versatile method that can be employed to form porous polymer fibers and polymeric membranes [32, 33]. It has been suggested that compressed gas or supercritical fluid can be good alternatives to nonsolvent in polymer processing of porous materials [34].


## 2. Electrospinning in Supercritical or Near-Critical CO2

In addition to being a good solvent for most of organic polymers [35], supercritical CO2 (scCO2) is also inexpensive, environmentally safe, and readily available. ScCO2 facilitates the absorption of desirable additives under appropriate conditions [36]. Therefore, scCO2 or near-critical CO2 offer great potential as nonsolvent in electrospinning processes for preparing porous or nanofibers with novel morphologies [30]. This approach is analogous to the process, known as “precipitation with a compressed fluid antisolvent” (PCA). Some researchers have reported that an organic polymer solution can be sprayed through a capillary tube into compressed carbon dioxide to generate porous or hollow fibers [37–39]. Levit and Tepper [40] firstly proposed a scCO2-assisted electrospinning process in which the needleless electrospinning system was placed into a vessel filled with scCO2. The solid poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and poly(D, L-lactic acid) (PLA) fibers were obtained against gravity in a bath of scCO2, whereas no fibers were obtained when the electrospinning was performed in air. It is explained that the supercritical solvent softens rather than dissolving or liquefying the polymer, which reduces the viscosity of the undissolved polymer for electrospinning.Based on their pioneering work, Shen et al. [41] developed and patented [42] a vessel in which the polymer solution could be electrospun in a near-critical CO2. Using this device, the authors prepared PVP nanofibers with a porous internal structure and a coherent external skin. These materials were produced, when a PVP/dichloromethane (DCM) solution was electrospun at 3.45, 4.83, and 4.96 MPa, as seen in Figure 1. However, under ambient conditions, with a PVP/DCM solution, electrospun PVP nanofibers with solid core were produced [20]. Presence of scCO2 or near-critical CO2 accelerates the solution phase separation. The compressed CO2 extracts solvent (DCM), enhancing mass transfer and rapid drying of the polymer. As a result, the coherent external skin takes shape on the polymer fibers. In addition, due to the rapid diffusion of CO2 into the polymer solution jet, compressed CO2 also plays the role as a porogen facilitating the formation of the interior porous structure in this process.SEM images of PVP fiber morphologies obtained by electrospinning into a CO2 bath at 295 K and (a) 3.45; (b) 4.83; and (c) 4.96 MPa [41].
(a)
(b)
(c)Lee et al. [43] proposed a similar procedure to produce PVP nanofibers by electrospinning in a bath of compressed CO2. Hollow PVP fibers were produced, with diameter ranging from 400 to 900 nm. The presence of CO2 contributes to removal of organic solvent, which effectively eliminates the formation of beads. Since scCO2 is a potential swelling agent for polymers [36], the diameters of fibers that are electrospun in near-critical or supercritical CO2 are larger than those obtained under atmosphere conditions. In addition, Liu et al. [44] improved the experimental apparatus by increasing the nozzle-to-target distance. To demonstrate the impact of compressed CO2 on the fiber morphology, several polymer solutions were tested. Nanofibers obtained from PVP/ethanol solution exhibited a single hollow core and a ribbon-like morphology when the pressure exceeded 5.6 MPa. Porous PVDF fibers were formed from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution and PVDF/dimethylformamide (DMF) solution electrospun into a saturated CO2 vapor. It was suggested that the morphologies of fibers depend not only on the operating conditions (pressure and temperature) of CO2, but also on phase behavior of the organic solvent in CO2. It is now understood that the saturated CO2 has two important impacts on scCO2-assisted electrospinning process. The first is the rapid diffusion of CO2 in the solution jet which induces phase separation of the polymer solution. The second involves excess CO2 which extracts solvent from the solution jet. These two effects are responsible for the porous or hollow nanofibers being formed when a polymer/solvent solution was electrospun in compressed CO2, but not in ambient air.Wahyudiono et al. [45] developed an apparatus similar to that of Liu et al. [44] to electrospin PVP-DCM solution into pressurized CO2 (at 2, 4, and 8 MPa), but it was unsuccessful in producing hollow or porous PVP fibers. Generally speaking, as CO2 pressure rises, the diameter of nanofibers increases, and the formation of polymer beads ends. This effect results from rapid evaporation of DCM in CO2 which influences the polymer solution’s concentration and phase separation progress [46]. In addition, the polymer is swelled by scCO2 [47]. In this vein, Wahyudiono et al. [48] used FT-IR spectroscopy to analyze the polymer product, and they found that the structural properties of PVP fibers do not change after electrospinning in pressurized CO2. This suggests that near- or scCO2 offers great potential to improve devolatilization of solvents during electrospinning.In conclusion, near- or scCO2-assisted electrospinning has been used to produce hollow and porous fibers. It has been found that the state of the CO2 affects the miscibility of solvent-CO2 system and the rate of solution phase separation during the electrospinning jet’s flight time [44]. As a result, it is possible to produce fibers with different morphologies by regulating CO2 pressure and temperature of the electrospinning process.


## 3. Electrospinning in Compressed Nitrogen (N2)

### 3.1. Materials and Methods

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP, average molecular weight: 1,300,000) was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. Dichloromethane (DCM, ≥99.5%) and ethanol (absolute, ≥99.5%) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co. (USA). The electrospinning apparatus (developed by Institute of Separation Science & Technology, Erlangen-Nuremberg University, Erlangen, Germany) is identical to that used in our previous work [49].


### 3.2. Results and Discussions

In our previous study, compressed N2 was applied as an antisolvent in the electrospinning process, but no hollow or porous PVP fibers were obtained [49]. In this work, there were some supplements to the original efforts, but the same electrospinning apparatus and polymer solutions were employed. It is known that the phase behavior of the experimental solvent in N2 intimately affects the formation of PVP fibers. However, to date, only the solubility data of N2 in ethanol has been reported [50]. The Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS) was successfully applied to simulate the phase equilibrium for the binary system of N2 and the solvent [49]. In this work, ASPEN PLUS 2006 was also used together with the Peng-Robinson EOS for simulating the binary phase behavior.Figure2 shows the PVP fibers produced by electrospinning a PVP-DCM solution into compressed N2. Polymer fibers are seen to fuse with polymer beads at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa (Figures 2(a) and 2(b)). Figure 2(d) shows that little DCM diffused into the N2-rich phase and small quantities of N2 appear near the surface of the jet saturated with DCM under low operating gas pressure. It appeared that there was not sufficient time for the evaporation of DCM before it reached the oppositely charged collector. At 7.5 MPa (Figure 2(c)), PVP fibers readily formed without beads, even though some fibers fused together. This suggested that the jet remained liquid-like when it hit the target [44]. At 7.5 MPa and 298 K, the simulated solubility of N2 in the DCM-rich phase was found to be about 5 wt%, and the simulated solubility of DCM in N2-rich phase was only 2 wt% (Figure 2(d)), which is higher than that at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa. That is why PVP fibers without beads can be produced at 7.5 MPa, but not at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa. In addition, the solubility of N2 in the DCM-rich phase was obviously lower than that of air. This could explain why fibers without beads can be produced under an ambient air environment. In our previous work, the phase equilibrium of CO2-DCM binary system was simulated [49]. The binary critical pressure at 298 K for the CO2-DCM system was found to be 6.5 MPa, at which DCM and CO2 are mutually miscible. However, in this present study, we found that the binary critical pressure of DCM-N2 and DCM-air systems’ is more than 100 MPa, which is higher than the operating pressure used in this study. This fact may explain why porous or hollow fibers can be obtained in a bath of compressed CO2, but not in N2 or air.SEM of PVP fibers created by electrospinning a 5 wt% PVP-DCM solution into N2 at 298 K and (a) 2.5 MPa; (b) 5 MPa; (c) 7.5 MPa, and (d) simulated binary phase equilibrium for N2-DCM and air-DCM solutions.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Since evaporation of the solvent during the electrospinning process changes the viscoelastic properties of the polymer solutions [51], we chose to use ethanol and DCM in this study. Figure 3 shows the morphology of PVP fibers created from electrospinning PVP-ethanol and PVP-DCM solution into N2 bath at 298 K and 0.1 MPa. Compared with PVP-ethanol, PVP-DCM system results in a wider distribution of fiber diameters and fewer spindles or beads. Also, the fibers are solid core without any porous structure on the surface (Figure 3(a)). Figure 3(c) shows that the miscibility of N2 and DCM is obviously better than that of N2 and ethanol, which may explain why there are fewer beads in N2 and DCM binary systems. The diffusion of gas into the polymer jet may induce phase separation and some special internal structures (hollow or porous). However, there is no binary critical pressure, under which the composition in liquid and vapor is similar, even though the pressure is higher than 200 MPa (Figure 3(c)). The relative immiscibility of both binary systems demonstrates why porous or hollow fibers cannot be produced in compressed N2. The binary critical pressure at 298 K for CO2-DCM is about 6 MPa, and for CO2-ethanol is 6.5 MPa, which indicates that the two systems are miscible, and that the diffusion of CO2 into polymer solution jet easily induces phase separation [49].SEM of PVP fibers created by electrospinning a 5 wt% solution into N2 at 298 K and 0.1 MPa: (a) N2-ethanol solution; (b) N2-DCM solution; and (c) simulated binary phase equilibrium for N2-ethanol and N2-DCM solutions.
(a)
(b)
(c)Based on the experimental results and phase equilibrium simulation, it can be concluded that N2 is not a good choice as an antisolvent for producing hollow or porous nanofibers. The miscibility of the solvent in near-critical or supercritical fluids has an important influence on the inner structure of polymer fibers.


## 3.1. Materials and Methods

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP, average molecular weight: 1,300,000) was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. Dichloromethane (DCM, ≥99.5%) and ethanol (absolute, ≥99.5%) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co. (USA). The electrospinning apparatus (developed by Institute of Separation Science & Technology, Erlangen-Nuremberg University, Erlangen, Germany) is identical to that used in our previous work [49].


## 3.2. Results and Discussions

In our previous study, compressed N2 was applied as an antisolvent in the electrospinning process, but no hollow or porous PVP fibers were obtained [49]. In this work, there were some supplements to the original efforts, but the same electrospinning apparatus and polymer solutions were employed. It is known that the phase behavior of the experimental solvent in N2 intimately affects the formation of PVP fibers. However, to date, only the solubility data of N2 in ethanol has been reported [50]. The Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS) was successfully applied to simulate the phase equilibrium for the binary system of N2 and the solvent [49]. In this work, ASPEN PLUS 2006 was also used together with the Peng-Robinson EOS for simulating the binary phase behavior.Figure2 shows the PVP fibers produced by electrospinning a PVP-DCM solution into compressed N2. Polymer fibers are seen to fuse with polymer beads at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa (Figures 2(a) and 2(b)). Figure 2(d) shows that little DCM diffused into the N2-rich phase and small quantities of N2 appear near the surface of the jet saturated with DCM under low operating gas pressure. It appeared that there was not sufficient time for the evaporation of DCM before it reached the oppositely charged collector. At 7.5 MPa (Figure 2(c)), PVP fibers readily formed without beads, even though some fibers fused together. This suggested that the jet remained liquid-like when it hit the target [44]. At 7.5 MPa and 298 K, the simulated solubility of N2 in the DCM-rich phase was found to be about 5 wt%, and the simulated solubility of DCM in N2-rich phase was only 2 wt% (Figure 2(d)), which is higher than that at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa. That is why PVP fibers without beads can be produced at 7.5 MPa, but not at 2.5 MPa and 5 MPa. In addition, the solubility of N2 in the DCM-rich phase was obviously lower than that of air. This could explain why fibers without beads can be produced under an ambient air environment. In our previous work, the phase equilibrium of CO2-DCM binary system was simulated [49]. The binary critical pressure at 298 K for the CO2-DCM system was found to be 6.5 MPa, at which DCM and CO2 are mutually miscible. However, in this present study, we found that the binary critical pressure of DCM-N2 and DCM-air systems’ is more than 100 MPa, which is higher than the operating pressure used in this study. This fact may explain why porous or hollow fibers can be obtained in a bath of compressed CO2, but not in N2 or air.SEM of PVP fibers created by electrospinning a 5 wt% PVP-DCM solution into N2 at 298 K and (a) 2.5 MPa; (b) 5 MPa; (c) 7.5 MPa, and (d) simulated binary phase equilibrium for N2-DCM and air-DCM solutions.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Since evaporation of the solvent during the electrospinning process changes the viscoelastic properties of the polymer solutions [51], we chose to use ethanol and DCM in this study. Figure 3 shows the morphology of PVP fibers created from electrospinning PVP-ethanol and PVP-DCM solution into N2 bath at 298 K and 0.1 MPa. Compared with PVP-ethanol, PVP-DCM system results in a wider distribution of fiber diameters and fewer spindles or beads. Also, the fibers are solid core without any porous structure on the surface (Figure 3(a)). Figure 3(c) shows that the miscibility of N2 and DCM is obviously better than that of N2 and ethanol, which may explain why there are fewer beads in N2 and DCM binary systems. The diffusion of gas into the polymer jet may induce phase separation and some special internal structures (hollow or porous). However, there is no binary critical pressure, under which the composition in liquid and vapor is similar, even though the pressure is higher than 200 MPa (Figure 3(c)). The relative immiscibility of both binary systems demonstrates why porous or hollow fibers cannot be produced in compressed N2. The binary critical pressure at 298 K for CO2-DCM is about 6 MPa, and for CO2-ethanol is 6.5 MPa, which indicates that the two systems are miscible, and that the diffusion of CO2 into polymer solution jet easily induces phase separation [49].SEM of PVP fibers created by electrospinning a 5 wt% solution into N2 at 298 K and 0.1 MPa: (a) N2-ethanol solution; (b) N2-DCM solution; and (c) simulated binary phase equilibrium for N2-ethanol and N2-DCM solutions.
(a)
(b)
(c)Based on the experimental results and phase equilibrium simulation, it can be concluded that N2 is not a good choice as an antisolvent for producing hollow or porous nanofibers. The miscibility of the solvent in near-critical or supercritical fluids has an important influence on the inner structure of polymer fibers.


## 4. Conclusions and Perspectives

Electrospinning is one of the most popular methods for producing polymer nanofibers. Supercritical fluid-assisted electrospinning is still a new process, representing an evolution of traditional electrospinning. This new method is advancing the techniques for producing hollow or porous nanofibers in a single step. The fibers’ morphology can be easily controlled by regulating the temperature and pressure of supercritical fluids. It can completely eliminate employment of an organic solvent, as demonstrated by the work of Levit and Tepper [40].In the future, it is conceivable that the use of supercritical fluid-assisted electrospinning to produce nanofibers with specific microstructures will have great impact on technologies such as, filtration, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. It has been shown that the phase behavior of the solvent and polymer in supercritical fluids has great influences on the morphologies of the fibers. Consequently, more fundamental efforts must be exerted in exploiting phase separation under the supercritical conditions. This work provides the necessary information for designing electrospinning processes in supercritical fluids.



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