This disclosure relates to air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays for electrospinning. In some embodiments, the air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays are incorporated in electrospinning systems and/or electrospinning machines. Methods of making and using the same are also described herein.

Provided are certain cellulose ester compositions which serve as improved anti-tack additives for various thermoplastic polymers, in applications such as woven and non-woven fibers, laminates including the composition, fabrics including the composition, apparel and garments, textiles including the composition, etc.

Provided are certain cellulose ester compositions which serve as improved anti-tack additives for various thermoplastic polymers, in applications such as woven and non-woven fibers, laminates including the composition, fabrics including the composition, apparel and garments, textiles including the composition, etc.

A method comprising: providing at least one first composition comprising at least one conjugated polymer and at least one solvent, wet spinning the at least one first composition to form at least one first fiber material, hot-drawing the at least one fiber to form at least one second fiber material. In lead embodiments, high-performance poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) conjugated polymer microfibers were fabricated via wet-spinning followed by hot-drawing. In these lead embodiments, due to the combined effects of the vertical hot-drawing process and doping/de-doping the microfibers with ethylene glycol (EG), a record electrical conductivity of 2804 S.Math.cm.sup.−1 was achieved. This is believed to be a six-fold improvement over the best previously reported value for PEDOT/PSS fibers (467 S.Math.cm.sup.−1) and a twofold improvement over the best values for conductive polymer films treated by EG de-doping (1418 S.Math.cm.sup.−1). Moreover, these lead, highly conductive fibers experience a semiconductor-metal transition at 313 K. They also have superior mechanical properties with a Young's modulus up to 8.3 GPa, a tensile strength reaching 409.8 MPa and a large elongation before failure (21%). The most conductive fiber also demonstrates an extraordinary electrical performance during stretching/unstretching: the conductivity increased by 25% before the fiber rupture point with a maximum strain up to 21%. Simple fabrication of the semi-metallic, strong and stretchable wet-spun PEDOT/PSS microfibers can make them available for conductive smart electronics. A dramatic improvement in electrical conductivity is needed to make conductive polymer fibers viable candidates in applications such as flexible electrodes, conductive textiles, and fast-response sensors and actuators.

Described herein are polyphenylene fibers. The polyphenylene fibers have one or more polyphenylene polymers. The polyphenylene fibers can further include one or more poly(aryl ether sulfone) polymers. In some embodiments, the polyphenylene fibers can have an average diameter that is less than about 1 micron. The polyphenylene fibers can have desirable mechanical properties. Also described herein are methods for forming polyphenylene fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers can be fabricated using specifically engineered polymer solutions in conjunctions with adapted force spinning techniques.

Described herein are polyphenylene fibers. The polyphenylene fibers have one or more polyphenylene polymers. The polyphenylene fibers can further include one or more poly(aryl ether sulfone) polymers. In some embodiments, the polyphenylene fibers can have an average diameter that is less than about 1 micron. The polyphenylene fibers can have desirable mechanical properties. Also described herein are methods for forming polyphenylene fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers can be fabricated using specifically engineered polymer solutions in conjunctions with adapted force spinning techniques.

[Problem] To provide: a carbon fiber precursor fiber that can efficiently produce a carbon fiber at a low cost which is excellent in mechanical strengths even without an infusibilization treatment; a carbon fiber; and a method for producing the carbon fiber.

[Solution] A carbon fiber precursor fiber of the present invention includes a polymer containing a constituent unit represented by General Formula (1) below:

##STR00001## where in the General Formula (1), X and Y each independently represent a divalent substituent, a single bond, or a structure forming a fused ring by sharing one side of two adjacent rings, and the divalent substituent is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —OSO—, —NH—, —CO—, —CH.sub.2—, and —CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2—.

Disclosed are a polyurethane elastic fiber with a flame retardant function and a preparation method thereof. The polyurethane elastic fiber is prepared by using a polyether diol containing phosphorus elements or a polyester diol containing phosphorus elements as a raw material to react with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate to prepare a prepolymer, extending the chain using an organic amine to obtain a polyurethane solution, and dry spinning with the polymer solution to prepare the polyurethane fiber. The limit oxygen index of the prepared polyurethane fiber was between 25% and 32%.

Disclosed are a polyurethane elastic fiber with a flame retardant function and a preparation method thereof. The polyurethane elastic fiber is prepared by using a polyether diol containing phosphorus elements or a polyester diol containing phosphorus elements as a raw material to react with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate to prepare a prepolymer, extending the chain using an organic amine to obtain a polyurethane solution, and dry spinning with the polymer solution to prepare the polyurethane fiber. The limit oxygen index of the prepared polyurethane fiber was between 25% and 32%.

An electrospinning system, method, and apparatus comprises a dual polarity high voltage power supply with much less power out for safe operation, a solution dispensing assembly held at high positive potential by the dual polarity power supply, a Corona discharge assembly held at high negative potential by the dual polarity power supply, and a drum collector held at ground potential wherein a solution is drawn from the solution dispensing assembly to the drum collector thereby forming a fiber mat.