Langmuir, 24 (3), 654 -657, 2008. 10.1021/la703119a S0743-7463(70)03119-0
Web Release Date: December 28, 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society

Effect of Hyperbranched Surface-Migrating Additives on the Electrospinning Behavior of Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Matthew T. Hunley, Adam Harber, Joshua A. Orlicki, Adam M. Rawlett, and Timothy E. Long*

Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute and Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5069

Received October 8, 2007

In Final Form: November 27, 2007

Abstract:

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was electrospun in the presence of a low molecular weight, hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) additive partially functionalized with perfluorinated and aliphatic end-groups (Mn ~ 1600 g/mol). The additive exhibited surface segregation with an insignificant influence on the rheological behavior of PMMA solutions. A morphological transition from beaded electrospun fibers to uniform fibers was observed upon introduction of additive at low PMMA concentrations. XPS revealed a surface enrichment of fluorine and nitrogen, which are both present in the hyperbranched additive. Surface fluorine content depended primarily on the amount of additive in solution, and a dependency on the PMMA/additive weight ratio was not observed.

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