title: Do electrospun polymer fibers stick?
abstract: Adhesion between electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers was directly measured in a cross-cylinder geometry using a nanoforce tensile tester. The surface roughness of fibers was determined by an atomic force microscope (AFM), and the structural factors were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). "Pull-off" force was found to be in the order of 10(-6) N, and the adhesion energy was 190 +/- 7 mJ/m(2). Adhesion increases with decreasing fiber radius. The experimental data are analyzed by the classical Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact mechanics model. The study provides fruitful insights into future development of bio-inspired adhesives and devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3903, USA.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Kai-Tak
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Shing-Chung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Blackledge
mesh_terms: D004563:Electrochemistry; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone