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Title: Electrospinning of Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/Clay Nanocomposite Fibers

Journal Article · · Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.21877· OSTI ID:1019949

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposite fibers were fabricated using electrospinning. The fiber diameters were controlled by varying the polymer/chloroform concentration, which resulted in fibers with diameters ranging from 1 to 15 {micro}m. The clay concentration was varied from 0.35 to 6.6 wt %. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the fiber diameter increased with increasing clay concentration, whereas beading decreased. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a disruption of the spherulite structures by clay, which is consistent with heterogeneous nucleation. Shear modulus force microscopy indicated a reduction in melting point (T{sub m}) with decreasing diameter for fibers thinner than 15 {micro}m, which was confirmed by temperature dependent X-ray diffraction data. For fibers thinner than 8 {micro}m, the presence of clay further enhanced the reduction of T{sub m}.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1019949
Report Number(s):
BNL-95795-2011-JA; TRN: US201115%%585
Journal Information:
Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol. 47, Issue 24; ISSN 0887-6266
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English