Novel core/shell-like structured ultrafine branch nanofibers were successfully fabricated by a phase-separation process using simple polymer blend (polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and fluorinated polyimide (PI)) solutions with electrospinning. The obtained core/shell-like structured branch nanofibrous membranes showed strong hydrophobicity based on the hydrophobic shell polymer and ultrafine branch nanostructures. This simple process could be used to prepare core/shell structured branch nanofibers composed of other blend polymers and would also provide novel opportunities for industrial applications, such as nanocoating, nanoreinforcement, nanocomposite, nanomedicine and a drug-release system.
- Makoto Konno
- Yuuko Kishi
- Hiroyoshi Kawakami
