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Active natural polymer nanoyarns
Thesis   Open access

Active natural polymer nanoyarns

Nicole Marie Tavormina
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001372
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Abstract

Nanoscience Electrospinning Nanofibers Natural Polymers Biosensors Materials Science Polymer Chemistry
With the increasing concern about sustainability, the use of natural materials is being heavily studied. Natural polymers are a sustainable option and have the ability to be used for nanofiber applications. They are also useful for biological sensors since they are not toxic. This study focused on the production of nanofiber yarns created through a modified electrospinning set-up. Natural polymer with PEO as a carrier polymer solutions were processed into nanoyarns and characterized through SEM and FTIR. One biopolymer, carboxymethylcellulose has a structure that allows it to be easily functionalized and so was the focus of further study for a potential sensor application. Three different colorimetric dyes were added and three different spinning methods were used to create nanofibers for use as a model pH sensing system. Sensing ability of the CMC/PEO fibers was confirmed in the pH range of each dye through visual analysis. SEM imaging determined that for the majority of biopolymer systems, the nanofiber diameter was not different for electrospinning and nanoyarn spinning. The exception is sodium alginate and PEO, chitosan and PEO, and SPI and PEO which had significantly larger nanofiber diameter for the nanoyarn set-up than the electrospinning. The nanofiber diameter was not correlated to the diameter of the nanoyarn.

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