title: Effect of hyperbranched surface-migrating additives on the electrospinning behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate).
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 (M(n) approximately 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.
authors.affiliation: Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hunley
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harber
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Orlicki
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rawlett
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Long