Thermal analysis and spectroscopic studies of electrospun nano-scale composite fibers

The aim of this article is to develop nano-scale composite fibers from wood pulp, modified wood pulp, and polyethylene oxide (PEO). Composite fibers were developed in the diameter range of 339–612 nm. Alignment process of the composite fibers was done by electrostatic interactions between two collector disks. DSC results demonstrated a lower melting temperature of composite fibers than PEO powder. The development of crystalline structure in the composite fibers and acetylated wood pulp was poor. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of composite fibers were relatively lower than PEO powder. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed significant differences between modified and unmodified wood pulp in the region of 960–1746 cm⁻¹. The peak intensity of acetylated wood pulp was appeared at 1746 cm⁻¹ because of acetyl groups. The composite fibers demonstrated the characteristic peak of PEO since less wood pulp was incorporated in the composite system.