US2003215624A1PendingUtilityA1

Electrospinning of vinyl alcohol polymer and copolymer fibers

48
Priority: Apr 5, 2002Filed: Apr 4, 2003Published: Nov 20, 2003
Est. expiryApr 5, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:John Moncrief LaymanGary WnekEl-Refaie Kenawy
A61L 2300/602Y10T428/249921D01D 5/0038A61L 2300/25A61L 27/54D01F 6/30A61L 27/50
48
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Claims

Abstract

Electrospinning of EVOH copolymer fiber is accomplished by dissolving the copolymers in a 2-propanol/water solution. The mixture is heated until the EVOH copolymers are fully dissolved in the solution. The copolymers fibers are then electrospun after the mixture is allowed to cool. Additionally, fully hydrolyzed PVA was able to be electrospun through use of a non-ionic surfactant. This electrospun matrix can be stabilized against disintegration and water by soaking of the matrix in methanol.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A polymer matrix comprising electrospun poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) fibers.  
     
     
         2 . A solution for use in electrostatic processing of a polymer, the solution comprising poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) and 2-propanol.  
     
     
         3 . The solution described in  claim 2 , wherein the solution comprises about 50/50% to 90/10% v/v 2-propanol/water.  
     
     
         4 . The solution described in  claim 3 , wherein the solution comprises about 70/30% v/v 2-propanol/water.  
     
     
         5 . A method of preparing a solution for use in electrostatic processing of a polymer, the method comprising: 
 providing an effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol);    providing a solution of 2-propanol and water;    dissolving the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) in the 2-propanol and water by heating the mixture thereof to a temperature above an upper critical solution temperature;    allowing the mixture to cool to a temperature below the upper critical solution temperature.    
     
     
         6 . The method described in  claim 5 , wherein the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) content is in the range of about 55-70 mole %.  
     
     
         7 . The method described in  claim 5 , wherein the effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) to 2-propanol and water is at least about 2.5 w/v %.  
     
     
         8 . The method described in  claim 7 , wherein the effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) to 2-propanol and water is at least about 5 w/v %.  
     
     
         9 . The method described in  claim 5 , wherein the mixture is heated to at least about 50° C.  
     
     
         10 . The method describe in  claim 5 , wherein the mixture is heated to at least about 60° C.  
     
     
         11 . The method described in  claim 5 , wherein the mixture is allowed to cool below about 40° C.  
     
     
         12 . The method described in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of reheating the mixture to a temperature lower than the upper critical solution temperature.  
     
     
         13 . A method of electrospinning poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) fibers comprising: 
 providing an effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol);    providing a solution of 2-propanol and water;    dissolving the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) in the 2-propanol and water by heating the mixture thereof to a temperature above an upper critical solution temperature;    allowing the mixture to cool to a temperature below the upper critical solution temperature; and    electrospinning the cooled mixture.    
     
     
         14 . The method described in  claim 13 , wherein the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) content is in the range of about 55-70 mole %.  
     
     
         15 . The method described in  claim 13 , wherein the effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) to 2-propanol and water is at least about 2.5 w/v %.  
     
     
         16 . The method described in  claim 13 , wherein the effective amount of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) to 2-propanol and water is at least about 5 w/v %.  
     
     
         17 . The method described in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture is heated to at least about 50° C.  
     
     
         18 . The method describe in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture is heated to at least about 60° C.  
     
     
         19 . The method described in  claim 13 , wherein the mixture is allowed to cool below about 40° C.

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