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Responsive PET nano/microfibers via surface-initiated polymerization
A Evren Özçam1, Kristen E Roskov, Jan Genzer
1Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 12, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) brushes on electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) microfibers. These robust, functionalized fibers offer potential for advanced applications like filtration and sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic known for its mechanical strength, clarity, and recyclability.
- Functionalizing PET surfaces can enhance its properties for specialized applications.
- Thermoresponsive polymers offer dynamic responses to temperature changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) brushes on electrospun PET microfibers.
- To achieve functionalization without degrading the PET substrate.
- To develop robust microfibers with tunable surface properties.
Main Methods:
- Surface functionalization of electrospun PET microfibers using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.
- Grafting of PNIPAAm brushes via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a "grafting from" approach.
- Characterization using spectroscopic analyses and water contact-angle measurements.
Main Results:
- Successful growth of PNIPAAm brushes on PET microfibers confirmed by spectroscopy.
- Demonstrated reversible thermoresponsive behavior of the PNIPAAm brushes.
- Maintained mechanical robustness of the PET microfibers after functionalization.
Conclusions:
- PNIPAAm-functionalized PET microfibers exhibit reversible thermoresponsive behavior.
- The developed method avoids degradation of the PET substrate.
- These functionalized microfibers are suitable for applications in filtration, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and sensors.
