Polybutylene Succinate Auxetic Membrane Produced by Solution Electrospinning

Abstract

Herein, a simple and cost‐effective method (solution electrospinning) is used to produce auxetic biobased polybutylene succinate membranes. The effect of fiber morphology, orientation, and alignment is investigated on the mechanical properties of the resulting membranes with a focus on Poisson's ratio. The degree of orientation is controlled by increasing the speed of the collector (from 4.03 to 11.01 m s−1) during membrane fabrication. The results indicate that membranes with oriented fibers show a more auxetic behavior than those with randomly orientated fibers. In particular, samples with a high level of alignment and tested in the transverse direction present higher negative Poisson's ratios (down to −5.73) compared to samples tested in the parallel direction (Poisson's ratios down to −2.90). However, samples tested in the transverse direction show lower tensile properties with higher dissipated energy and damping factor. Therefore, the level of fiber orientation and the number of fibers in the transverse and parallel directions are the most important parameters controlling the mechanical properties of electrospun membranes.

Conductive and auxetic composite membranes based on graphene nanoplatelets and polybutylene succinate produced via electrospinning

“…The membranes were again cut in the transverse direction of the collector rotation as in our previous work. 28 The tensile experiments were carried out at a rate of 0.02 mm/s and room temperature. During the tests, a tensile load was applied in one direction and the resulting dimensional changes were measured in the perpendicular directions.…”

“…PBS and PBS/GNP composite electrospun membranes were successfully synthesized under the following electrospinning conditions: 12% PBS w/v concentration, 0.06% w/v CTAB, 28 kV, 1 mL/h flow rate and a 12 cm distance between the collector and the needle, 28 while the effect of different GNP contents (0, 0.05, 0.07, 0.1, 0.2% w/v) on the morphology of the electrospun membranes was studied. Figure 1 provides clear evidence of the effect of GNP addition in the precursor solution on the nanofiber morphology.…”

“…Based on our previous publication, 28 the speed of the collector was increased from 2.34 to 9.96 m/s to increase the degree of fiber orientation and to achieve auxetic properties in the membranes. These membranes were produced with different GNP contents (0.1% and 0.2% w/v).…”

“…Our previous research revealed that samples processed at a velocity of 9.96 m/s had enhanced auxetic behavior upon being cut in a transverse direction relative to the collector rotation. 28 Building upon this observation, the effect of three GNP contents (0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% w/v) on the Poisson's ratio was examined as presented in Figure 5. All three membranes showed a negative Poisson's ratio, indicative of an auxetic behavior for these membranes.…”

“…Through precise control of the fiber arrangement during electrospinning, it is possible to create membranes with auxetic properties. 28 This unique property can add another layer of functionality to conductive fibers, opening up other possibilities for multifunctional materials.…”