Preparation of ultrafine polyurethane fiber web by laser-electrospinning combined with air blowing

Thermoplastic polyurethane fiber webs were prepared using a laser-heated electrospinning process combined with air blowing. The effect of spinning conditions such as air flow rate and air temperature on fiber diameter and molecular weight was investigated. Although the average fiber diameter decreased with increased air flow rate at each air temperature, the diameter increased when the air flow rate was >15 NL min−1. In addition, the fiber was comparatively thicker with an increase in the air temperature. The variation in the fiber diameter tends to increase with the air flow rate, and a reduction in the molecular weight of the fiber by thermal degradation was suppressed. The thinnest and most uniform fiber with a diameter of 0.9 µm and a diameter coefficient variation of 15% was obtained at an air temperature of 25°C under an air flow rate of 15 NL min−1. This fiber also had a minimum of decreased molecular weight. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2605–2609, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers