Coaxial electrospinning process toward optimal nanoparticle dispersion in polymeric matrix

Nanoreinforced polymers have gained popularity in the last decades since they exhibit enhanced properties (compared to pristine polymers) that are useful in a wide range of applications. Unfortunately, dispersion of nanoparticles (NPs) into polymeric matrices is a major problem since they tend to form agglomerates, limiting the improvement of properties and further applications. In this work, we propose the use of coaxial electrospinning as one-step method to disperse NPs in a polymeric matrix. Particularly, iron oxide (Fe3O4) NP with a monomodal and bimodal size distributions were dispersed in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a material that is well known for its improved piezoelectric properties when it is processed via electrospinning. The results indicate that the incorporation of NP modified the polymeric fiber depending on their surface-to-volume ratio (smaller NP promoted smaller fiber size). Moreover, transmission electron microscopy revealed a good NP dispersion in the polymer, especially for the smallest NP size (monomodal). Finally, each NP size distributions were well preserved in the electrospun mats compared to the initial NP solutions, demonstrating the suitability of this technique for the fabrication of nanoreinforced PVDF structures with tailored NP size. Overall, this method could represent a facile and practical alternative to fabricate materials with piezoelectric/super-paramagnetic properties.

Automated summary

Nanoreinforced polymers have gained popularity for their enhanced properties in various applications, but dispersion of nanoparticles into polymeric matrices remains a challenge. This study proposes a method using coaxial electrospinning to disperse NPs in PVDF, showing that NP size affects fiber size. Transmission electron microscopy confirms good NP dispersion in the polymer.