Synthesis of electrospun cellulose fibers corrected
1. Synthesis of electrospun cellulose acetate
fiber membranes for successful protein
separation
José Cruz-Arzon1, Delaine Zayas-Bazan1, Nelson Granda-Paz2, and Wilfredo Otaño-Rivera3,4
1-Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico
2-Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
3- Department of Physics-Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico
4-Institute for Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. Problem
• Is it possible to prepare electrospun cellulose
fibers that could be used for separation of
proteins producing high flow and mass transfer?
5. Hypothesis
• Control of chemical and physical parameters in
cellulose electrospinning synthesis will allow to
vary pore size distribution of electrospun
membranes.
• Pore size distribution is a factor that can be used
to produce a high mass transfer, high flow and
specificity in the separation of proteins.
6. Objectives
• Synthesize cellulose acetate fibers by electrospinning.
• Analyze fiber properties by SEM & FTIR.
• Remove acetyl groups
• Control chemical and physical electrospinning
process parameters to vary pore size distribution of
membranes.
11. Methodology
• Variations in Process Parameters
▫ Amount of acetyl cellulose and amount of solvent
▫ Speed of rotor collector
▫ Humidity control
▫ Voltage and needle to collector distance
