title: Mechanical properties and in vitro degradation of electrospun bio-nanocomposite mats from PLA and cellulose nanocrystals.
abstract: Fibrous bio-nanocomposite mats consisting of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were electrospun from a solvent mixture consisting of N,N'-dimethylformamide and chloroform at room temperature. Morphological, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as in vitro degradation of nanocomposite mats were characterized as a function of material composition. Average diameter of the electrospun fibers decreased with increased CNC-loading level. Thermal stability, and tensile strength and modulus of nanocomposite mats were effectively improved by the addition of CNCs up to the 5 wt% level. The reinforcement of CNCs on electrospun mats was illustrated by the observation of SEM-based morphologies on the tensile fracturing process of nanocomposite mats. At the CNC content of 5 wt%, the maximum tensile stress and Young's modulus of the nanocomposite mats increased by 5 and 22 folds than those of neat PLA mats, respectively. Moreover, compared with neat PLA mats, the nanocomposite mats, especially at high CNC-loading levels, degraded more rapidly in phosphate-buffered saline solution.
authors.affiliation: School of Material Science & Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; School of Renewable Natural Resource, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Qingfeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: School of Renewable Natural Resource, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Chengjun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: School of Renewable Natural Resource, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Yiying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: School of Material Science & Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: College of Material Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China.
authors.forename: Yiqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Renewable Natural Resource, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Qinglin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013818:Thermogravimetry / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D002482:Cellulose