Electrospun nylon fibers for the improvement of mechanical properties and for the control of degradation behavior of pol
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adhab P. Bajgai Department of Textile Engineering, Chonbuk National University, 561-756 Jeonju, South Korea; and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T1Z3
Hak Y. Kim Department of Textile Engineering, Chonbuk National University, 561-756 Jeonju, South Korea
Suprakas Sinha Ray DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, Republic of South Africa
Valerio Causina) Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy (Received 31 October 2011; accepted 7 February 2012)
Poly(lactide) (PLA) composites filled with electrospun nylon 6 fibers were prepared. This allowed us to simultaneously improve the mechanical properties and tune the degradation of the PLA matrix. The interfacial adhesion between the PLA matrix and the nylon fibers was good. The major effect of electrospun fibers on the matrix was that of modifying the semicrystalline framework, thickening the polymer lamellae. This allowed an increase in the mechanical properties of the material, and on the other hand to modify its degradation behavior. The modulus of the composites was increased up to 3-fold with respect to neat PLA. The peculiar morphology of matrix–filler interaction moreover slowed down the degradation rate of the material and improved the dimensional stability of the specimens during the degradation process. This shows the potential of electrospun fibers as a way to tune the durability of PLA-based products, widening the range of application of this promising material.
I. INTRODUCTION
Increasing concerns in public opinion about the environment and progressively strict legislation are the driving forces for a gradual, yet consistent pressure for substituting currently used polymers with other materials, perceived as more environmentally benign. Polylactide (PLA) is a linear aliphatic thermoplastic polyester, generally produced by the ring-opening polymerization of the lactide monomer.1 Lactide is a cyclic dimer prepared by the controlled depolymerization of lactic acid, which in turn is obtained by the fermentation of corn, sugar cane, sugar beet, etc.1 The annual production of PLA worldwide is increasing not only for the environmental concerns, but also because it can be prepared from renewable resources, helping to preserve the petroleum reserves. It is readily fabricated, a)
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2012.70 J. Mater. Res., Vol. 27, No. 10, May 28, 2012
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thus is a promising material suitable to replace commodity polymers in many end-use applications.2 However, PLA is a slowly crystallizing material, so it has a poor processability under normal conditions. Also in its amorphous form, the range of application of PLA is severely limited by its low glass transition temperature (Tg). Hence, there is a need to imp
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