Uniaxially aligned electrospun fibers for advanced nanocomposites based on a model PVOH-epoxy system

摘要

This work demonstrates the potential of aligned electrospun fibers as the sole reinforcement in nanocom-udposite materials. Poly(vinyl alcohol) and epoxy resin were selected as a model system and the effect of udelectrospun fiber loading on polymer properties was examined in conjunction with two manufacturing udmethods. A proprietary electrospinning technology for production of uniaxially aligned electrospun fiberudarrays was used. A conventional wet lay-up fabrication method is compared against a novel, hybridudelectrospinning–electrospraying approach. The structure and thermomechanical properties of resulting udcomposite materials were examined using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, udthermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, udand tensile testing. The result demonstrate that using aligned electrospun fibers significantly enhances udmaterial properties compared to unreinforced resin, especially when manufactured using the hybridudelectrospinning–electrospraying method. For example, tensile strength of such a material containing onlyud0.13 vol% of fiber was increased by �700%, and Young’s modulus by �250%, with concomitant increase in udductility.