Preparation of elastomeric tree-like nanofiber membranes using thermoplastic polyurethane by one-step electrospinning.

Recently, the multi-level structure materials with some superior performances has attracted broad attentions. In this study, the elastomeric tree-like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber membranes with multilevel structure were prepared by introducing tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) via one-step electrospinning. The coverage rate and average diameter of the TPU tree-like nanofibers could be controlled by varying the solution concentrations and electrospun parameters. The special multilevel structure with trunk fibers (diameter 300–500 nm) and branch fibers (diameter 20–80 nm) significantly improved crystallinity, hydrophilicity and flexibility performances comparing with pristine TPU nanofibers, and the novel hierarchical elastomeric tree-like nanofiber membrane had a bright future in various potential applications, such as medical, filtration and protective field, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]