Authors: Chenggui Sun Yaman Boluk Cagri Ayranci
Publish Date: 2015/05/24
Volume: 22, Issue: 4, Pages: 2457-2470
Abstract
The development of nonwoven meshes based on cellulose acetate CA reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals CNC is reported The meshes were electrospun from 15 wt CA Mn = 30000 in dimethylacetamide/acetone 12 w/w solutions with various concentrations of CNC dispersions The investigated six levels of CNC dispersions in CA solutions were 0 0075 0147 0225 0300 and 0382 wt which corresponded to 0 050 100 150 199 and 255 wt of CNC in solid fibers The basis of the impact of CNC nanoparticles on fiber diameter and morphology was explored by assessing their contributions to the viscosity conductivity and homogeneity of CA/CNC solutions CA/CNC nonwoven meshes spun from suspensions with 0075 wt CNC had best results in morphology and fiber uniformity Additionally mechanical properties of CA nonwoven meshes with five levels of CNC loading 0 050 100 150 and 199 wt were examined The CA nonwoven mesh with 050 wt CNC showed best mechanical properties and its elastic modulus E was improved to an average value of 168 GPa from 117 GPa of neat CA nanofiber nonwoven mesh These improved meshes would have applications such as separation membranes supports for catalysts and sensors engineered tissues and other smart materialsAuthors would like to acknowledge personnel and equipment funding provided by NSERC and Canadian Foundation for Innovation CFI for the completion of this research project Additionally the CNC used in this research was provided by Alberta Innovates Technology Futures AITF in Edmonton AB Canada therefore the authors would like to thank AITF for the material provided
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