Preparation and characterization of electrospun poly(butylene succinate- co -butylene adipate) nanofibrous nonwoven mats

Nanofibrous mats of poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) were prepared by electrospinning PBSA solutions in methylene chloride (MC) and MC/N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) mixtures. The morphology and the thermal properties of the electrospun mats were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the addition of 20-30 per cent v/v DMF led to denser, more uniform, and without beads PBSA mats, with nanofibre average diameters ranging between 450 to 550 nm. The fibre morphology was also improved with increasing concentration and voltage. WAXD and DSC analysis showed a reduction in crystallinity and the thermal properties of the electrospun nanofibres, as compared to the raw material.