title: Generation of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) nanofibres using pressurised gyration.
abstract: The ability to generate nanofibres useful for biomedical applications at bench and at a larger scale is a significant manufacturing challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible to generate nanofibre meshes of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) using pressurised gyration. The effects of altering polymer molecular weight and concentration on fibre morphology and size have been investigated, with identification of minimum values for both parameters for successful fibre fabrication. In addition, we note that changing the molecular weight may result in changes to the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra associated with changes in fibre intramolecular bond strength and arrangement. Overall the study has demonstrated that pressure gyration represents a feasible means of producing nanofibres (470-970nm) on a scale commensurate with commercial viability and have identified key parameters that influence mesh structure.
authors.affiliation: University College London, School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Bahijja Tolulope
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Raimi-Abraham
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
authors.forename: Suntharavathanan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK. Electronic address: m.edirisinghe@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edirisinghe
authors.affiliation: University College London, School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Duncan Q M
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D015394:Molecular Structure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; C042670:N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone
keywords: Concentration; Molecular weight; Nanofibre; Polymer; Pressurised gyration