Biodegradable poly (e-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibers: Effect of tubular halloysite on structure and properties
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | VIII International Conference on “Times of Polymers and Composites” |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | odkaz na sborník |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4949634 |
| Field | Plasma physics |
| Keywords | nanofibers;electrospinning;halloysite nanotubes;polycaprolactone;gelatin |
| Description | The work explores preparation of new advanced nanofibers based on biodegradable polymers and biocompatible tubular halloysite (HNT). Electrospun nanofibers comprising 8 wt% gelatin (Gel) and 8 wt% polycaprolactone (PCL) have been prepared by using eco-friendly solvent – acetic acid. The content of HNT in PCL/Gel nanofibers was 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 wt%. It was found that the addition of HNT significantly affected the polymer mixture spinnability and the fiber diameter. SEM observations revealed that the structure of nanofibers depends on nanofiber composition. Whilst in nanofibers with lower HNT content uniform morphology with HNTs located merely inside the individual nanofibers has been observed, in nanofibers with 6 and 9 wt% HNT individual particles as well as the agglomerates of HNT have been detected in both, the inner part as well as outside part of nanofiber. Important reinforcing effect has been achieved in whole HNT content. The highest improvement has been reached when the HNT content was 0.5 wt%. In this case, multiple enhancements of strength (2x), elongation (4x) and modulus (2x) have been confirmed. ATR-FTIR revealed that improvement of mechanical properties is also due to the increase of interface interaction in between PCL/Gel and HNT. The prepared PCL/Gel/HNT nanofibers can be used for tissue engineering and/or as drug carriers or signal molecules in whole spectrum of medical applications. |
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