Manufacturing of Aligned Electrospun Nanofiber Yarns for Their Enhanced Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties

Abstract

Electrospinning is a widely used technique for producing nanofibers with diverse applications. This method uses polymer solutions and strong electric fields to generate nano-sized fibers with unique properties. This study presents a novel manufacturing approach that enables the production of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber yarns using an automated parallel track system and an adjustable roll-to-roll collector. This research examines the impact of an automated post-drawing system on the polymer chain orientation, crystallinity, tensile strength, morphology, and piezoelectric properties of PVDF-HFP nanofiber yarn. The results reveal that the post-drawing process significantly improves molecular alignment, increases tensile strength, and enhances the piezoelectric outputs of the nanofiber yarn. The potential applications of these piezoelectric nanofiber yarns extend to the realm of smart textiles, where they can be integrated into various wearable devices and intelligent fabrics. It highlights a significant advancement in the field and emphasizes the importance of post-drawing processing in improving the tensile and piezoelectric properties of electrospun PVDF-HFP nanofiber yarn. Furthermore, it demonstrates the potential for manufacturing on a commercial scale, a feat not achieved by previous research efforts, increasing economic market opportunities in the smart textile industry.