Processing of continuous poly(amide-imide) nanofibers by electrospinning

Continuous poly(amide-imide) nanofibers were fabricated using a novel electrospinning method with rotating and re-collecting cylindrical collectors. The nanofilaments were modified using various post-treatments, i.e. glycerol treatment and thermal imidization under tension, for possible application as high-performance reinforcements. Morphological and mechanical properties of continuous poly(amide-imide) nanofibers prepared by the electrospinning process and various post-treatments weremeasured.Severe adhesionbetweenindividual nanofiberswithinfiberbundleswasinhibited throughsurface treatment of the electrospun nanofiber bundles by spraying with glycerol. Themorphological andmechanical properties of the continuous poly(amide-imide) nanofibers and thermal stability were improved using thermal imidization at high temperature under tension. The morphological and mechanical properties of the continuous electrospun nanofibers were improved significantly by post-treatments after electrospinning because uniform and complete thermal imidization occurred through the core region of the nanofibers.