Textile and Apparel Science

Spinnability of Polyurethane Nanofibers with Low Toxicity Solvent System

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Abstract

Electrospinning develops nanofibers having low bulk, high surface area to volume ratio, and high porosity. Polyurethane is a popular elastomer. Polyurethane nanofibers are popular in medical applications due to their biocompatibility, toughness, and flexibility. Polyurethane nanofibers are often spun using toxic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, N, N-dimethylformamide, or dimethylacetamide. These solvents are classified as substances of very high concern by the European Chemicals Agency. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the electrospinnability of polyurethane using a non-hazardous solvent system. This study explored the spinnability of polyurethane using one such solvent, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO, however, is highly viscous and has low vapor pressure. Therefore, the study incorporated acetone as a cosolvent and customised a simple, scalable spinning process to develop polyurethane nanofibers without relying on hazardous solvents. The study showcases comparative analysis via morphology and yield of polyurethane nanofibers spun using different spinning parameters, and concludes on parameters generating defect-free nanofibers.

Keywords: Polyurethane nanofibers, DMSO solvent, Low Toxicity Solvent, Electrospinning

How to Cite:

Purandare, S., Li, R. & Song, G., (2025) “Spinnability of Polyurethane Nanofibers with Low Toxicity Solvent System”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21954