Study On The Fabrication And Property Of Microscale Helical Fibers Via Melt Blowing

Helical fibers in micro-and nanoscale have thinner diameter, compared with conventionalnonwoven fibers, higher porosity and better elasticity. The specific surface area of the fiber hasbeen enhanced, because of the helical structure. If the helical fibers were used as oil sorptionmaterial, the oil sorption capacity and the reusability would be greatly improved. This work canprovide a promising technique for oil spills cleanup, which is with high theoretical significanceand practical application value.In this study, helical fibers in microscale have been generated with a melt-blowing device.Three kinds of thermoplastic polymer, thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane (TPU),thermoplastic elastomeric ether-ester (TPEE) and polypropylene (PP) were used as raw materials.The effect of processing parameters, the ratio and properties of the raw material and the structureof the die on the morphology of the helical fibers were analyzed. The adaptive processingconditions for the PP/TPU or PP/TPEE blends were obtained through the tests, including polymertemperature of220℃to250℃, air temperature20℃to30℃higher than polymer temperatureand collecting distance of15cm. And it was found that when the TPU was14%-17%(weightpercent of PP/TPU blends), the TPEE was16%-24%(weight percent of the PP/TPEE blends), andusing swirl die and powdery raw material, helical fibers with excellent morphology can beobtained.The oil sorption capacity of the generated PP/TPU and PP/TPEE helical fibers with bestmorphology were tested, which were compared with common oil sorbents like melt-blown andspun-bonded polypropylene non-woven fabric. The maximum oil sorption capacity of PP/TPUand PP/TPEE were57g/g and45g/g, respectively. The contact angles with water of PP/TPU andPP/TPEE were136°and134°, respectively, greater than110°, which showed a highhydrophobicity. When the oil dropped on the surface of the PP/TPU and PP/TPEE helical fibers,the oil was absorbed quickly, and this showed high lipophilicity. So the PP/TPU and PP/TPEEhelical fibers can be used in oil-water separation effectively. The oil sorption capacity of thePP/TPU and PP/TPEE helical fibers almost kept invariant after recycling for three times, whichshowed a good reusability. And this property can reduce the cost of raw material greatly when used as oil sorbent. Altogether, the microstructure helical fibers like PP/TPU and PP/TPEE helicalfibers will have a bright further in oil spills cleanup.