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Electrospun nylon fibers for the improvement of mechanical properties and for the control of degradation behavior of poly(lactide)-based composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2012

Ramesh Neppalli ,
Carla Marega ,
Antonio Marigo ,
Madhab P. Bajgai ,
Hak Y. Kim ,
Suprakas Sinha Ray  and
Valerio Causin
Ramesh Neppalli
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Carla Marega
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Antonio Marigo
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Madhab P. Bajgai
Affiliation:
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
Affiliation:
Department of Textile Engineering, Chonbuk National University, 561-756 Jeonju, South Korea
Suprakas Sinha Ray
Affiliation:
DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, Republic of South Africa
Valerio Causin*
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: valerio.causin@unipd.it
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Macromolecular structureCompositePolymer
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 27 , Issue 10: Focus Issue: Crystallization Processes in Polymer-Based Materials , 28 May 2012 , pp. 1399 - 1409
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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