Facile fabrication of PAN/PDMS core-shell nanofibers from synchronous photopolymerization

Different from the traditional method for fabricating core-shell structure nanofiber, the PAN/PDMS nanofibers with core-shell structure (PAN as the core layer and PDMS as the shell layer) have been illustrated, which combines with the synchronous photopolymerization during emulsion electrospinning process. The morphology and structure of as-fabricated PAN/PDMS nanofibers are characterized by SEM and TEM. The composition of PAN/PDMS nanofibers is characterized by FTIR, XPS, TG, and DTG, successfully. The photopolymerization process is characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy indirectly. The WCA tests show that it has good hydrophobicity, which makes it possible as functional material. Meanwhile, the most important thing is that the method provides a flexible design strategy of core-shell structure nanofibers. - Graphical abstract: The fabrication process included three main stages. Firstly, microphase separation occurred at the tip of the needle with electrostatic stretching and solvent evaporation. Secondly, the photoinitiator on the surface of polymer fluid jet was decomposed to induce photopolymerization by UV irradiation. Finally, photopolymerization happened on the surface of polymer fluid jet to form PAN/PDMS core-shell structure nanofibers. - Highlights: • PAN/PDMS core-shell nanofibers were fabricated by synchronous ptotopolymerization during electrospinning process. • Monomer migrated to the surface of polymer fluid jet to cause phase separation with the evaporation of solvent. • We applied UV irradiation in N₂ atmosphere, which ensure that photopolymerization could be conducted completely.