Abstract:In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation is described. The experiment was carried out by the use of injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were determined. The performed experiments clearly show difference impacts of the selected degradation conditions on the macroscopic, supramolecular and molecular parameters of the studied aliphatic polyesters. The structural changes in PBS and PBSA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained injection molded samples.

Abstract:In this paper, the influence of the molecular structure of polylactide (PLA)-characterised by its molar mass and content of D-lactide isomer-on the molecular ordering and α'-α form transition during fibre manufacturing by the wet spinning method is described. Fibres were studied by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the fibres were determined. This study also examines the preliminary molecular ordering and crystallisation of PLA fibres at various draw ratios. The performed experiments clearly show the dependence of the molecular ordering of PLA on the molar mass and D-lactide content during the wet spinning process. The fibres manufactured from PLA with the lowest content of D-lactide and the lowest molar mass were characterised by a higher tendency for crystallisation and a higher possibility to undergo the disorder-to-order phase transition (α' to α form). The structural changes in PLA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained fibres.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to modify polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer. The PAN/CNT composite fibers were spun from dimethylformamide solutions containing different types of CNTs. The effect of nanotube addition to the fiber precursor on the resulting mechanical properties is discussed. In this study, we examined the relationship of the rheological properties of PAN spinning solutions containing various types of CNTs and the tensile strength of the resulting PAN fibers. The presence of CNTs in the PAN spinning solution enhanced its deformability during the drawing stage. This effect resulted in a higher tensile strength in the fibers containing nanotubes, as compared to the pure fibers. The use of a three-stage drawing process resulted in a significant increase in the tensile strength of PAN fibers modified with multiwalled nanotubes.

In this study, differences in the kinetics of the thermal-supported hydrolytic degradation of polylactide (PLA) wet spinning fibres due to material variance in the initial molecular and supramolecular structure were analysed. The investigation was carried out at the microstructural and molecular levels by using readily available methods such as scanning electron microscopy, mass erosion measurement and estimation of intrinsic viscosity. The results show a varying degree of influence of the initial structure on the degradation rate of the studied PLA fibres. The experiment shows that hydrolytic degradation at a temperature close to the cold crystallization temperature is, on a macroscopic level, definitely more rapid for the amorphous material, while on a molecular scale it is similar to a semi-crystalline material. Furthermore, for the adopted degradation temperature of 90 °C, a marginal influence of the pH of the degradation medium on the degradation kinetics was also demonstrated.

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This work examines the influence of the amount of silver nanoparticles added to polyacrylonitrile spinning solutions on their rheological properties as well as the structure and properties of the fibers produced. The influence of the amount of silver nanoparticles on the supramolecular structure of nanocomposite polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers, their porosity, as well as thermal and tensile strength properties was determined. The distribution of the nano‐ additive in fiber cross‐sections and on the surface was estimated. It was found that the addition of silver nanoparticles to polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers in an amount of up to 1.5% does not cause a decrease in the susceptibility of the fiber matter to deformation at the drawing stage. The produced fibers were characterized by an increased total volume of pores of 0.35 cm3/g and tenacity of more than 34 cN/tex. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of the research was to develop optimal conditions for manufacturing materials based on hyaluronic acid by the electrospun method. The studies were composed of three stages: the process of selection of the optimal solvent (mixture of solvents), the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid, and the concentration of biopolymer in the spinning solution. The influence of variable parameters on the rheological properties of the spinning solutions and electrospinning trails was tested. Depending on the electrospinning regime applied, the fibers obtained were characterised by a diameter of the order of 20 to 400 nm. As a result of the development works presented, an optimal molecular weight of the polymer, its concentration and system of solvents were determined, together with process parameters, ensuring a stable electrospinning process and relatively homogeneous nanofibers. Additionally studies on the residues of solvents used during electrosun formation were done and parameters of drying of the final materials were examined. This approach (verification of the presence oforganic solvent residue in the nanofibrous formed) is important for the suitability of nanofibres as scaffolds for regenerative medicine. This study provides an opportunity for the understanding and identification of process parameters, allowing for predictable manufacturing nanofibers based on natural biopolymers, which makes it tremendously beneficial in terms of customisation.

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