Surface Functionalization of PEO Nanofibers Using a TiO 2 Suspension as Sheath Fluid in a Modified Coaxial Electrospinning Process

Convenient and integration fabrication process is a key issue for the application of functional nanofibers. A surface functionalization method was developed based on coaxial electrospinning to produce ultraviolet(UV) protection nanofibers. The titanium dioxide(TiO2) nanoparticles suspension was delivered through the shell channel of the coaxial spinneret, by which the aggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles was overcome and the distribution uniformity on the surface of polyethylene oxide(PEO) nanofiber was obtained. With the content of TiO2 increasing from 0 to 3%(mass fraction), the average diameter of nanofibers increased from (380± 30) nm to (480±100) nm. The surface functionalization can be realized during the electrospinning process to gain PEO/TiO2 composite nanofibers directly. The uniform distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of nanofibers enhanced the UV absorption and resistance performance. The maximum UV protection factor(UPF) value of composite nanofibers reaches 2751. This work presented a novel surface-functionalized way for the preparation of composite nanofiber, which has great application potential in the field of micro/nano system integration fabrication.