Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun EVOH/Ti₃C₂ Composite Fibers

In this work, the EVOH/Ti₃C₂ composite fibers were prepared via electrospinning and the effect of added Ti₃C₂ on the structure and properties of electrospun EVOH fibrous membranes was further investigated. The morphology, crystal structure, thermal properties, wettability, tensile properties, as well as air permeability and water vapor permeability of as-prepared EVOH/Ti₃C₂ composite fibers were studied. The Ti₃C₂ is uniformly loaded onto the surface and inside the composite fiber and affects the fiber diameters. Furthermore, The Ti₃C₂ self-orients along the fiber axis and does not change the crystal structure of the electrospun EVOH fibers, improving the crystallinity and thermal stability of the electrospun EVOH/Ti₃C₂ fibrous membranes. With the increase in the Ti₃C₂ concentration in the electrospinning polymer solution, the addition of Ti₃C₂ not only rapidly improves the wettability of the fibrous membranes, but also enhances their air permeability, compared with the pristine electrospun EVOH fibrous membranes. The experimental results provide theoretical guidance for the preparation of Ti₃C₂ composite fibers, and also expand the application of electrospun EVOH and EVOH/Ti₃C₂ fibrous membranes.