effect of nanoclay on the electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone)

nanofber  mats  of  poly(ε-caprolactone)/nanoclay  nanocomposites  were fabricated by electrospinning. the effects of the solution concentration and  the  nanoclay  content  of  nanocomposite  materials  on  the  fnal nanofber  structure were  investigated. morphology  and  diameter  of  the  nanofbers were studied using optical and scanning electron microscope. it was observed that the  poly(ε-caprolactone)  at  concentration  of  5%  to  8%  could  be  electrospun  into  the fbrous structure. the results showed that the presence of the nanoclay promoted the creation  of fbrous  structures  in  comparison with  the  poly(ε-caprolactone) without nanoclay. on the other hand, increasing the nanoclay content resulted in a lower average fber diameter. shear viscosity and conductivity of  the  solutions were also reported. the presence of nanoclay increased conductivity and shear viscosity of the solutions. formation of the nanofbers and decrease in their diameters are discussed on the basis of shear viscosity and conductivity of electrospun solution. this electrospun nanofber could be used for tissue engineering application.