The Preparation and Characterization of Poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) Fibers Using Ionic Liquids

A process to produce fibers from Poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide)(PMIA) solution in an ionic liquid via wet-spinning technology are described. The spinning process was investigated on a small laboratory scale. Ionic liquid spinning solutions were first prepared for PMIA fibers, followed by wet spinning. In the course of this research, the physical properties of the PMIA fibers were estimated. We studied the dependence of the mechanical properties of the obtained PMIA fibers on the composition of the coagulation bath, and on the choice of solvent in spinning solution. The morphology of the fibers from ionic liquid and traditional DMAc solvents via wet-spinning process were observed by scanning electrical microscopy(SEM). The differences of morphologies and properties of the PMIA fibers obtained from two different solvents are discussed.