Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
7-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Karen Lozano
Second Advisor
Dr. Dorina Mihut
Third Advisor
Dr. Jose Gutierrez
Abstract
Among the myriad of methods for polymer nanofiber production, there are only a few methods that can produce submicron range fibers in bulk from melt or solution samples. The Forcespinning™ method allows a substantial increase in sample yield; this greatly reduces the time needed to produce bulk quantities of fibers which may be critical in many fields of research and industry, in particularly in fields relating to biopolymers. The aim of the first study was to utilize this method to form non-woven mats of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers and to quantitatively analyze the production and characterization of the produced fibers. The morphology and degree of crystallinity were characterized by SEM, DSC, and XRD. Additionally, as a second project, microcrystalline cellulose fibers were successfully regenerated from the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate using the Forcespinning™ method. Similarly, the cellulose fibers were subjected to various characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, TGA, and FITR.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2012 Zachary McEachin. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/production-characterization-biodegradable/docview/1035157605/se-2