Surface-cracked electrospun PA6 nanofiber layers: Blending and selective removal of PVA

Electrospinning was utilized to produce innovative surface-cracked nanofiber layers using a blended solution of polyamide 6 and polyvinyl alcohol, with the targeted removal of polyvinyl alcohol. Polyvinyl alcohol was selected for its affordability and ease of etching during the electrospinning process. These polyamide 6 nanofiber layers are currently being used in a variety of filtration applications, with the adjustment of porosity playing a crucial role in their effectiveness. Among the different methods for altering porosity, such as compressing the layer by applying pressure, selectively removing a portion using a solvent, or heating, selective removal of a portion was selected. The morphology of the layers was studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, image processing and atomic force microscopy. Porosity, orientation, and surface roughness were reduced after etching polyvinyl alcohol, but the pore size increased significantly. This sample is ideal for filtering particles larger than 7 μm, such as red blood cells and other suitable applications.