Hi guys,
Upon searching the literature, I found that DCM and DMF were the most commonly used solvents for electrospinning PLA polymer. Can you please tell me what other alternate solvents can I use to obtain bead-free fibers? I learnt that both DCM and DMF are highly carcinogenic. Thanks
Hello,
there are possibly plenty of solvents and solvent combinations. You may find a solvent, which suits your need in following article:
"Electrospun poly lactic acid (PLA) fibres: Effect of different solvent systems on fibre morphology and diameter"
doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2014.06.032
The article mentions, that also non toxic solvents like acetone could yield PLA nanofibers.
Regarding DCM and DMF, only DCM has a hazard statement about a possible carcogenity. DCM might influence the fertility or is harmful for an unborn child, but has no safety statement regarding carcinogenity.
Matthias Heck I did have a look at the article you mentioned before I asked this question. In that article, it was mentioned that we can use acetone or a combination of two solvents like acetone-methanol, DCM-acetone and DCM-DMF to electrospin PLA. In other articles also I saw that DCM-DMF solvent was the most commonly used solvent mixture for the electrospinning of PLA fibers.
Apart from DCM and DMF, chloroform and THF are the solvents that can be used for electrospinning of PLA.
Ankit Mishra THF and chloroform are also toxic for medical or food technological applications. I am looking specifically for green solvents to dissolve PLA efficiently and effectively. If you do know any, please share it here. Thanks
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