Received: 9 January 2024 / Accepted: 3 February 2024 / Published online: 4 March 2024 | Nanang Qosim, Hamta Majd, Jubair Ahmed, Gareth Williams, Mohan Edirisinghe
This study explores the production of nanometer to micrometer scale fibers from cellulose derivatives using pressurized gyration (PG) and electrospinning (ES) techniques. Ethyl cellulose (EC) and cellulose acetate (CA) were investigated as representative ether and ester cellulose derivatives, respectively. The PG method, which combines centrifugal spinning and solution blowing, was successfully used to produce EC fibers with diameters ranging from 488 to 825 nm, outperforming the production rate of ES. Nozzle-pressurized gyration (N-PG) further improved fiber alignment and uniformity. In contrast, ES produced bead-free fibers from EC and CA using various solvent systems and concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to analyze the fiber morphology, physicochemical properties, and structural integrity. The results showed that both PG and ES produced fibers with identical physicochemical structures and properties. The study highlights the potential of PG as a promising technique for high-rate production of cellulose derivative-based fibers, with applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressing.This study explores the production of nanometer to micrometer scale fibers from cellulose derivatives using pressurized gyration (PG) and electrospinning (ES) techniques. Ethyl cellulose (EC) and cellulose acetate (CA) were investigated as representative ether and ester cellulose derivatives, respectively. The PG method, which combines centrifugal spinning and solution blowing, was successfully used to produce EC fibers with diameters ranging from 488 to 825 nm, outperforming the production rate of ES. Nozzle-pressurized gyration (N-PG) further improved fiber alignment and uniformity. In contrast, ES produced bead-free fibers from EC and CA using various solvent systems and concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to analyze the fiber morphology, physicochemical properties, and structural integrity. The results showed that both PG and ES produced fibers with identical physicochemical structures and properties. The study highlights the potential of PG as a promising technique for high-rate production of cellulose derivative-based fibers, with applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressing.