Breathable Materials and Hybrid Nanocomposites with Antimicrobial Activity Based on Porous Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) Obtained via Environmental Crazing

Abstract

Structural modification of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) allows the fabrication of new functional materials obtained via the PCL films/fibers stretching in ethanol by the crazing mechanism. Atomic force microscopy, X‐ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry are employed to study the evolution of PCL structure. It is shown that ethanol plasticizes the polymer being deformed, and the stretching of PCL films/fibers occurs with formation of a fibrillar‐porous structure in the interlamellar space. The obtained porous matrices have pore size below 50 nm and bulk porosities of 28% and 48% for fibers and films, respectively. Thermal stabilization of the PCL films’ porous structure made it possible to obtain breathable materials with a vapor permeability of 625–652 g m−2 per day. The resulting porous PCL fibers and films can be used as matrices for the incorporation of useful additives and preparation of functional nanocomposites (NCs), biodegradable surgical suture, packaging, covering, and textile vapor‐permeable materials. Hybrid NCs with antibacterial and fungicidal activities are obtained on the basis of the porous PCL matrices and functional components (5% silver, 1% brilliant green, 28% Betadine, etc.) incorporated into them.

Unique structure and new thermophysical properties of poly(ethylene oxide) in nanocomposites based on nanoporous polypropylene matrices

“…The characteristic feature of EC is concerned with a marked increase in the polymer volume 32–34 . Deformation of PP films in the PALE is accompanied by an increase in the volume strain (Figure 1b).…”

“…The characteristic feature of EC is concerned with a marked increase in the polymer volume. [32][33][34] Deformation of PP films in the PALE is accompanied by an increase in the volume strain (Figure 1b). Hence, this process is accompanied by the penetration of PEO into as-formed porous structure of the host PP matrix, and this fact is directly proved by the weight uptake of the samples after the removal of the PALE.…”

“…Evident benefits of EC as the route for the preparation of nanomaterials are primarily related to a facile control over dimensions and morphology of pores by varying tensile strain and structure of the initial polymer. [32][33][34][35][36] Therefore, EC offers unique opportunities to gain a deeper insight into the effect of nanoscale confinement on the structural organization of the incorporated polymer. The objective of this work is concerned with the preparation of the PP-PEO nanocomposites via EC of PP films in the PEO-containing solutions and with the study on structural organization and properties of the incorporated polymer (PEO) within the nanoporous structure of the PP matrix.…”

“…This process is accompanied by the development of the unique well‐organized fibrillar‐porous structure with pore dimensions below 100 nm. Evident benefits of EC as the route for the preparation of nanomaterials are primarily related to a facile control over dimensions and morphology of pores by varying tensile strain and structure of the initial polymer 32–36 . Therefore, EC offers unique opportunities to gain a deeper insight into the effect of nanoscale confinement on the structural organization of the incorporated polymer.…”