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Indentation induced solid state ordering of electrospun polyethylene oxide fibres
Wei Wang1, Ton Peijs, Asa H Barber
1Department of Materials, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Nanotechnology
|December 8, 2009
Summary
Heating electrospun polyethylene oxide fibers below melting temperature degrades their mechanical properties. However, indentation just below melting point followed by cooling enhances the elastic modulus at the indented site due to polymer ordering.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Electrospun polymer fibers offer unique mechanical properties.
- Understanding thermal effects on fiber mechanics is crucial for applications.
- Polyethylene oxide (PEO) is a common electrospun polymer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of heat treatment on the mechanical behavior of electrospun polyethylene oxide fibers.
- To analyze the structural changes and their correlation with mechanical properties.
- To explore the potential for localized mechanical property enhancement through controlled thermal-mechanical treatment.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) based indentation was used to measure elastic moduli.
- Fibers were subjected to heating below their melting temperature.
- Indentation was performed at elevated temperatures (just below melting point) followed by cooling.
Main Results:
- Heating PEO fibers below their melting temperature significantly degraded their mechanical behavior and structural integrity.
- Indentation at temperatures just below the melting point, followed by cooling, induced a stepped morphology at the indentation site.
- The polymer at the indentation site exhibited an improved elastic modulus compared to other regions of the thermally treated fiber.
Conclusions:
- Thermal treatment below the melting point negatively impacts the overall mechanical integrity of electrospun PEO fibers.
- Localized solid-state ordering induced by indentation at elevated temperatures can enhance the elastic modulus of PEO fibers.
- This study highlights a potential method for tailoring mechanical properties of polymer nanofibers through controlled thermal-mechanical processing.
