Polyurethane electrospun mats strengthened and toughened by physically blended polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Abstract

In this work, polyfunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with glycidyl ether groups was physically blended with end‐capped polyurethane (PU) to improve the mechanical strength of PU electrospun mats. It was found that not only the tensile strength was elevated, but also the elongation‐at‐break was greatly improved. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results suggested that no chemical reaction happened, and there was no hydrogen bonding between POSS and PU, but the mobility of the PU chains was restricted. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that POSS aggregated inside the PU electrospun fibers. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed apparent die‐swelling, indicating that the elasticity of PU chains was enhanced. This was always the result of strengthened chain–chain interactions. From the experimental observations, it was speculated that a physical polymer–particle network was established through attachment of PU chains onto the POSS nanoparticles and embedment of PU chains inside the POSS aggregates, which results in the simultaneous improvements in strength and extensibility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40902.

High-throughput and high-yield fabrication of uniaxially-aligned chitosan-based nanofibers by centrifugal electrospinning

“…Here, the viscoelastic properties of the polymer solution result in swelling of the jet upon exiting the restriction. This has also been observed in other studies where polymer solutions are exposed to high shear stresses (Hao et al, 2014; Y. Z. Zhang et al, 2006).…”

Self-Healable and Ultrahydrophobic Polyurethane-POSS Hybrids by Diels–Alder “Click” Reaction: A New Class of Coating Material

“…Unlike traditional organic compounds, POSS derivatives are nonvolatile, odorless, and environmentally friendly material . POSS molecules can be incorporated into the polymers via grafting, blending, or the copolymerization method. − …”

Fabrication of Liquid Crystalline Polyurethane/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanofibers via Electrospinning

“…Moreover, the addition of POSS nanoparticles to the electrospinning mixture can decrease the viscosity, which also influences the process of fiber formation towards thinner structures. However, the majority of studies describe the impact of silsesquioxane nanoparticles added to the polymeric solution as a physical modifier that is not covalently bonded to the polymeric backbone [50,59,60]. Therefore, nanoparticles can easily migrate in the electrospun mixture, resulting in higher conductivity.…”

“…Our research is focused on the preparation of liquid crystalline polyurethane (LCPU)/POSS nanofibers using composite elastomer as a raw material. The electrospinning of polyurethane/POSS composites introduced as physical blends [50] and chemical modifiers [51] is already discussed in the literature. The enhancement of mechanical and biocompatibility properties has been described.…”