Effects of hot airflow on macromolecular orientation and crystallinity of melt electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) fibers

• PLLA fibers were prepared via melt electrospinning with or without hot airflow.
• Macromolecular orientation and crystallinity of PLLA fibers were investigated.
• Hotter airflow with faster speed resulted in PLLA fibers with higher properties.
• The prepared PLLA fibers would be useful for biomedical applications.

The aim of this study was to prepare melt electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers with relatively high macromolecular orientation and crystallinity (thus relatively high mechanical properties) for future biomedical studies. Upon melt electrospinning PLLA fibers in hot airflow, the elevated environmental temperature was acquired; and the filaments/fibers could be stretched by the hot airflow and/or for a prolonged period of time. The effects of speed and temperature of hot airflow on macromolecular orientation and crystallinity of PLLA fibers were investigated, and the results indicated that the PLLA fibers with higher degrees of macromolecular orientation and crystallinity could be prepared under the condition of hotter airflow having faster speed.

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