Fabrication of toughest and transparent electrospun nylon 6 nanofiber-reinforced PVA composites

Abstract

In this study, we focused on the manufacturing of void-free composites of electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers as reinforcement for the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. PVA solution was introduced into the nylon 6 nanofibrous mat using a solution impregnation method and solution filtration method. The introduction of nylon 6 nanofiber mats as a reinforcement achieved a synergistic effect in mechanical efficiency for the PVA matrix. The optimized 15 wt% polymer solution in the composite was revealed significant enhancement in the ultimate tensile stress and tensile modulus by sacrificing the % elongation. These composite films displayed optical light transmittance of 85% and 53% by solution impregnation method and solution filtration method, respectively.

Keywords:

• Electrospinning
• mechanical properties
• nanofiber-reinforced composites

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20194010201840 and No. 20010519) and Brain Busan 21+ Project in 2021.