Electrospinning PhD Project:
“Using electrospun core-shell nanofibres for the reinforcement of
composites”
Dr Stuart Coles and Dr Kerry Kirwan
Project overview: Fibre-reinforced composites are now widely used in today’s society for
applications where a weight saving is desired when compared with manufacturing the part from
conventional steels or other materials. Commonly used reinforcements include glass, carbon and
aramid fibres; all of which pose problems in today’s sustainable society. Both glass and carbon fibre
are energy-intensive processes and aramid fibres require extensive and wasteful chemical
treatment.
Electrospinning is a low-energy process where polymer solutions are used to generate fibres with
diameters in the range of 100 nm – 5 µm. Electrospun fibres present an opportunity to both improve
the properties of the composites involved and reduce the environmental impact of the
manufacturing process. Given these fibres have a substantially smaller diameter than conventional
fibres; the increased surface-to-volume ratio of the reinforcement phase should improve the
structural properties of the overall composite.
Objectives:

To investigate the potential of using electrospun nanofibres as reinforcements in composite
structures

Develop methods to increase the strength of nanofibre-reinforced composites

Develop novel polymer systems with two or more components to enhance the physical
properties of nanofibre-reinforced composites

Optimise the production of electrospun nanofibres to make the process industrially relevant
The PhD candidate will develop expertise in a range of techniques and methodologies including coreshell electrospun nanofibre production, scanning electron microscopy and macroscopic materials
characterisation.
Applicants should ideally have some experience in composite manufacturing and/or electrospinning.