Oil Sorption Properties of PLA Fiber-Based Sorbents Prepared by Electrospinning, Centrifugal Spinning and 3D Printing

Fiber-based sorbents play a critical role in oil sorption applications, thus minimizing ecological harm. Polylactic acid fibers were produced by electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, and porous fiber-based sorbents were produced by Material Extrusion Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing. The fiber-producing processes were optimized based on the electrical conductivity, solution viscosity and surface tension measurements of the solutions. Beadfree fibers (d=0.82±0.15 μm) were produced with electrospinning, however beaded fibers (d=6.45±3.71 μm) formed during centrifugal spinning. Oil sorption results show 94.05±22.64 g/g for electrospun and 30.53±0.73 g/g for centrifugally spun fiber mats, whereas 3D printed sorbents indicate 2.05 g/g.