Preparation, characterization, and properties of nanofibers based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Abstract

Nanostructered nanofibers based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) have been prepared by electrospinning process. The starting solutions were prepared by dissolving both the system components in the mixture N,N‐dimethylacetamide/acetone. The characteristics of the fiber prepared, studied by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and wide angle X‐ray diffraction, have been compared with those of PVDF fibers. Morphological characterization has demonstrated the possibility to obtain defect‐free PVDF/POSS nanofibers by properly choosing the electrospinning conditions, such as voltage, polymer concentration, humidity, etc. Conversely, in the case of fibers based on the neat polymer, it was not possible to attain the complete elimination of beads in the electrospun nanofibers. The different behavior of the two types of solutions has been ascribed to silsesquioxane molecules, which, without influencing the solution viscosity or conductivity, favor the formation of uniform structures by decreasing the system surface tension. Concerning POSS distribution in the fibers, the morphological characterization of the electrospun films has shown a submicrometric dispersion of the silsesquioxane. It is relevant to underline that cast films, prepared by the same solutions, have been found to be characterized by POSS aggregation, thus demonstrating a scarce affinity between the two‐system components. Indeed, the peculiar solvent evaporation of the electrospun solution, which is much faster than that occurring during the cast process, prevents POSS aggregation, thus leading to the formation of nanofibers characterized by a silsesquioxane dispersion similar to that present in solution. Finally, the presence of POSS improves the electrospun film mechanical properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electrospun poly(vinylidene‐fluoride)/POSS nanofiber membrane‐based polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries

“…There is no bead formation under the conditions selected for the electrospinning. The electrospun technique is capable of facilitating POSS dispersion in the polymer matrix, as previously reported in prior works regarding CA‐ and PVDF‐based mats . The AFD of the membranes obtained under the studied conditions are 900 < 850 < 780 < 700< 680 nm, respectively, for the membranes of a, b, c, d, e. This is consistent with effect of nanoparticles on polymer composites fibers by electrospinning .…”

Preparation and Characterization of Novel Electrospinnable PBT/POSS Hybrid Systems Starting from c‐PBT

“…as a consequence of POSS insertion into PBT chains. Indeed, a similar effect was already assessed in the case of electrospun PVDF nanofibers, prepared by adding POSS in the electrospinning solutions [12]. In that case, the phenomenon was ascribed to the silsesquioxane molecules, which, without influencing the solution viscosity or conductivity, favored the formation of uniform structures, by decreasing the system surface tension.…”

“…POSS can be added directly into the polymer electrospinning solution. By this method, several polymers, such as cellulose acetate [11], polyvinylidene fluoride [12], sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) [13], poly(vinyl alcohol) [14], poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [15], poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) [16], ethylene-propylene-diene rubber [17], poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) [18], polylactic acid [19,20], and protein [21], were exploited to prepare electrospun POSS-based nanofibers.…”

High strength poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) cross-linked nanofibrous hybrid composites incorporating nanohybrid POSS

“…For instance, Xu et al prepared the carbon fiber/POSS/carbon nanotube hybrid reinforcement in order to improve the interfacial properties between carbon fibers and an epoxy matrix, and reported that mechanical properties test results indicated the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact toughness were enhanced [28]. Marsano et al reported that the presence of POSS improved the mechanical properties of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) film [29].…”