Effect of modified ZnO nanoparticle on the properties of polylactide ultrafine fibers

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) was modified with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) to obtain hydrophobicity and used to reinforce polylactide (PLA), an environmentally friendly polymer. The PLA/HDTMS‐modified ZnO (m‐ZnO) nanocomposite prepared by adding m‐ZnO to the PLA matrix was fabricated into ultrafine fiber using electrospinning. Neat PLA and PLA/ZnO were used for comparisons. Structural analysis of the nanoparticles proved that the ZnO was modified successfully, and that the modification affected dispersibility and hydrophobicity, as observed by morphological, visual, and water repellency tests. The morphological analysis of the electrospun ultrafine fabrics under suitable conditions confirmed that the nanoparticles were well incorporated, and the desired functional changes were observed. Measurement of water repellency and mechanical, thermal properties were used to analyze the effect of nanoparticle modification and composition on fabrics. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47446.

Nanocomposite and biodegradable polymers applied to technical textiles

“…That is why various researchers have sought ways to reinforce this type of materials by incorporating nanoadditives that give rise to biocompatible and / or environmentally biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites. The most commonly used particles are pure hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite doped with some metal [16], calcium and phosphorus nanoparticles [17], tricalcium phosphate [18], copper sulphide [19], zinc oxide [20], oxide magnesium [21], strontium carbonate [22], montmorillonite [23], carbon nanotubes in conjunction with silver and iron nanoparticles [24], where each type of nanoparticle gives the polymer nanocomposite exclusive properties. Below are some examples of these types of compounds that have been used to generate technical textiles.…”

Fabrication of hydrophobic PLA filaments for additive manufacturing

“…They created a nanocomposite comprising PLA and HDTMS-modified ZnO by adding the HDTMS-modified ZnO into the PLA matrix fabricated through the solvent casting process. According to the structural analysis of the nanoparticles, it was observed that ZnO was successfully modified and that the modification influenced both the dispersibility and hydrophobicity of the samples [ 33 ]. Shaker et al conducted an experiment to enhance the hydrophobicity of stainless steel by mixing it with sol–gel-based alumina and HDTMS.…”