Chain anisotropy in nanofibre production

Fibres with submicron diameters are commonly formed by two techniques, electrospinning , and centrifugal force spinning; in both cases polymer solutions are subjected to forces, which result in highly elongated "nano"fibres. In this proposal we seek time to study the relationship between the forces applied, the fibre diameter and the conformation of the polymer backbone. If the backbone is ordered by the applied force, this may be translated to macroscopic properties such as mechanical strength. Force spinning orients polymer chains less as a result of the plasticising effect of solvent on the polystyrene fibres, but results for electrospinning are masked by pores. In this study we wish to develop a model for the polymer chain orientation using polymethyl methacrylate as an alternative system to eliminate these complicating factors and reveal means of improving polymer orientation.