Production and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibrous mat including tourmaline additive

Abstract

Tourmaline nano powder was used for the first time in the production of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers. The polymer chips of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) containing 3 wt% tourmaline powder were obtained. The electrospun nanofibrous mats were produced from both of the polymer solutions prepared by using the polymer chips. The nanofibrous mats were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In order to investigate the effect of tourmaline additive in the poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibrous mat, water contact angle, electrical conductivity and negative ion releasing measurements were performed on the mats. The incorporation of tourmaline in the nanofibers improved the wettability, electricity transmission and anion emitting property of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) mat.