The Preparation of Silver Fibers with Electrospinning Process

Abstract

The preparation of silver fiber with electrospinning process was a principle to impulse the iron within the polymer solution. The polymer solution jetted onto the ground collector in nonwoven form, when the electric charge was higher than the polymer surface tension. This research had 3 key factors consideration, that were electric power supply, polymer concentration and length between needle tip and aluminum ground collector. The electric voltage was 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 kilovolt, the ratio of Ag : polymer solution (%wt) was 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30, and the length between needle tip and aluminum foil collector was 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 centimeter, respectively. The fibers obtained were investigated and compared to the fiber morphology by Scanning Electron Microscope and the anti-bacteria test via AATCC test method 100-1999 (Quantitative) and 147-1998 (Quality). The optimal electrospinning condition was 18 kilovolt, the ratio of Ag : PVA (%wt) was 1:20 at length 7 centimeter. The fibers were continuous, average diameter as 183.3 nanometer, and available to against bacteria.