High tensile performance of PLA fiber-reinforced PCL composite via a synergistic process of strain and crystallization. (27th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Yunyi; Miao, Xiaran; Hou, Chen; Wang, Jiayao; Lin, Jinyou; Bian, Fenggang
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 270(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-27
• Subjects: Poly (lacticacid) -- Poly (ε-caprolactone) -- Electrospinning -- Heterogeneous nucleation -- Strain-induced recrystallization; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.125778
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: Poly (lacticacid) (PLA) fiber-reinforced poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) composite is used in a broad variety of biocompatible and biodegradable materials, while phase separation remains an obstacle to mechanical performance. In this work, the PLA fiber-reinforced PCL composite membranes were prepared by multi-spinneret blended electrospinning, followed various synergistic processes of strain and melt-recrystallization. In the composite, the micro-scaled electrospun PLA fibers, which accomplished glass transition and partial crystallization during the annealing processing, profoundly reinforce the PCL matrix. The orientation and crystallinity of PLA fibers as well as the interfacial bond are improved by the manipulations of strain and supercooling during the crystallization of PCL domains in the composite. As a result, the tensile performance of the composite is greatly improved, which exhibits a modulus of 6.146 GPa and strength of 32.85 MPa, respectively, achieving a high level of strength among the PCL/PLA composites. This work offers a new approach to the preparation of PLA fiber-reinforced PCL composites with outstanding tensile performances. Graphical abstract: In the PLA fiber-reinforced PCL membranes, the orientation and crystallinity of PLA fibers, the interfacial bond got improved. Therefore, the tensile modulus and strength exhibited over 6 GPa and 30 MPa, respectively, which are over 100% higher than the unstretched samples. Image 1 Highlights: Composites are prepared by multi-spinnerets electrospinning and followed synergistic processes of annealing and stretching. Orientation and crystallization of PLA fibers, and interfacial bond contribute to the significantly improved tensile performance. Microstructural information has been studied by the synchrotron SAXS/WAXS.