1. Synthesis of electrospun cellulose acetate
fiber membranes for successful protein
separation
José Cruz-Arzon1, Delaine Zayas-Bazan1, Nelson Granda-Paz2, and Wilfredo Otaño-Rivera3,4
1-Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico
2-Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
3- Department of Physics-Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico
4-Institute for Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2. Background
• Nanotechnology- Nanofibers
• Electrospinning
• SEM, FTIR
• Deacetylation

3. Background
• Cellulose
• Cellulose Acetate for protein separation

4. Problem
• Is it possible to prepare electrospun cellulose
fibers that could be used for separation of
proteins producing high flow and mass transfer?

5. Hypothesis
• Control of chemical and physical parameters in
cellulose electrospinning synthesis will allow to
vary pore size distribution of electrospun
membranes.
• Pore size distribution is a factor that can be used
to produce a high mass transfer, high flow and
specificity in the separation of proteins.

6. Objectives
• Synthesize cellulose acetate fibers by electrospinning.
• Analyze fiber properties by SEM & FTIR.
• Remove acetyl groups
• Control chemical and physical electrospinning
process parameters to vary pore size distribution of
membranes.

7. Methodology
Solution
Preparation
Electrospinning
SEM Analysis
FTIR, EDS
analysis
Variations in
Parameters
SEM analysis

8. Methodology
• Solution preparation
▫ Solvent: Acetone/ Dimethylformamide/ Ethanol
(2:2:1)
▫ 15%, 17%, 20%, 21% Cellulose Acetate
▫ 24 hrs
▫ Bain Marie (50ºC)
• Viscosimeter

9. Methodology
• Electrospinning
▫
▫
▫
▫
18 cm
20.0 kV
0.5 mL/ hr
1 mL

10. Methodology
• Analysis
▫ Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
▫ Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)
▫ Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)

11. Methodology
• Variations in Process Parameters
▫ Amount of acetyl cellulose and amount of solvent
▫ Speed of rotor collector
▫ Humidity control
▫ Voltage and needle to collector distance

13. 15% CA fibers

14. 17% CA fibers

15. 20% CA fibers

16. 21% CA fibers

17. Future Works
• Measure fiber diameter and pore size distribution
• Deacetylation
• Protein separation

18. Acknowledgements
• UPR at Cayey
• RISE Program
• NAMAS Lab
• Mr. Carlos Pérez

19. Thank You
Questions?