Morphology and core continuity of liquid-crystal-functionalized, coaxially electrospun fiber mats tuned via the polymer sheath solution

By electrospinning liquid crystals coaxially inside a polymer sheath, responsive fibers with application potential, e.g., in wearable sensors can be produced. We conduct a combined scanning electron/polarizing microscopy study of such fibers, concluding that a match between the properties of the sheath solution and that of the core fluid is vital for achieving well-formed and well-filled fibers. Problems that may otherwise arise are fibers that are continuously filled, but partially collapsed; or fibers in which the core breaks up into droplets due to a mismatch in elongational viscosity between inner and outer fluids. Liquid-crystal-functionalized core-sheath fibers produced by coaxial electrospinning can exhibit novel optical properties and strong response function. These fibers could be used in wearable sensors, but a careful matching between core and sheath fluids is required for ensuring optimum fiber morphology, strength, and a continuous core. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.