Novel electrospun polybenzimidazole fibers and yarns from ethanol/potassium hydroxide solution

In the present study, we report the preparation of novel electrospun meta-polybenzimidazole (m-PBI) nanofibers and yarns. Ethanol/potassium hydroxide (EtOH/KOH) was used as solvent. This system exhibits definite advantages towards the commonly used solvents dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and DMAc/LiCl - higher volatility, environmentally friendly and cheap. By varying the electrospinning parameters, nanofibrous materials in the form of nonwovens and yarns were prepared. The obtained electrospun materials were characterized by SEM, XRD and gravimetric analysis. The average diameter of the PBI fibers was in the range 100-300 nm, depending on polymer concentration and collector used. When stationary metal collector is used, spontaneous self-assembly PBI yarns formation was observed. After abundant washing with deionized water, no traces of KOH were detected in the fibrous mats.