(343d) Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite Fibers Reinforced with Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Uniform and bead-free magnetic polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide (PVA/Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite fibers were prepared by electrospinning. The morphology was systematically optimized by changing the electrospinning parameters including polymer concentration, iron (II, III) nanoparticles loading, applied voltage, tip-to-collector distance and flow rate. All these parameters are shown to affect the fiber morphology to some extent. Rheological studies revealed a Newtonian behavior of PVA and PVA/Fe₃O₄ solutions. The influence of Fe₃O₄ NPs on thermal properties of PVA fibers was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). With incorporation of magnetic Fe₃O₄ NPs, the nanocomposite fibers exhibit magnetic properties. The PVA based magnetic fibers prepared here are thought to be suitable for various applications.