Morphological and Mechanical Characterization of Electrospun Polylactic Acid and Microcrystalline Cellulose

Abstract

The goal of this work was to develop a composite material, a membrane, based on polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with cellulose microcrystalline (MCC). Membranes based on PLA were fabricated using electrospinning. The fabrication parameters, fiber morphology, and mechanical properties were analyzed. For fabrication, 12 mL of solution (12%, weight basis, of PLA in chloroform) was used and three different injector-collector distances and three voltages were employed. The fiber morphology was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). To fabricate reinforced membranes using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), an amount of 1.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0% of MCC, based on the polymer mass, was used. The MCC distribution was observed using SEM. The membranes were tested via tensile and tearing tests according to the corresponding ASTM D882-12 (2012) and ASTM D1938-14 (2014). It was observed that plain fibers tended to form, depending on the injector-collector distances. Additionally, microfiber porosity was observed, which was attributed to the solvent evaporation. Moreover, the addition of 1% of MCC was translated into an important increase of tensile strength, which in some cases reached a 476% increase; similar effects were observed in the tear test results.

Electrospun porous bio-fibre mat based on polylactide/natural fibre particles

“…This relatively high tensile strength compared to others is due to the 3 D honeycomb structure of the fibre produced. Recent results on microcrystalline cellulose electrospun PLA fibres presented by Gaitan and Gacitua, (2018) are lower than those obtained in this study at the same filler weight fraction. Chen and Liu (2008) also obtained lower tensile strength at the same filler weight fraction using cellulose nanocrystals soybean protein fibre.…”

Poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)/Magnesium Silicate Membrane for Methylene Blue Removal: Adsorption Behavior, Mechanism, Ionic Strength and Reusability Studies

“…In addition, an improvement in the interfacial adhesion between the PLA-PEG matrix and MgSiO 3 , as can be observed in the next morphology section, is also effective in transferring the stress during breaking, as well as propagation of cracks [33]. It is interesting to note that the strengthening of mechanical properties may also be caused by the interaction ensued in the PLA-PEG/MgSiO 3 membrane where a hydrogen and covalent bond could be formed, with the assistance of hydroxyl and silane functional groups, between membrane matrix and filler [34]. This finding can be supported by a previous report which demonstrated that the increased amount of filler in a membrane may enhance the tensile properties of the material [35].…”

The Mechanical and In vitro Release Properties of Diazepam from Tablets Containing Fluid Bed Dried and Lyophilized Cocos nucifera Microcrystalline Cellulose

“…Cellulose, a plant derivative is the main structural fiber in the plant kingdom and is known to possess remarkable mechanical properties for a polymer as its Young's modulus is estimated as roughly 130 (gigaPascal) gPa while its tensile strength is close to 1 gPa [1]. Besides this attribute, cellulose and its derivatives has over time regained prominence as a source of obtaining pharmaceutical excipients because of its natural abundance and availability, low cost, eco-friendliness, non-toxicity and ease of processing [2].…”