Preparations and Properties of Ionic Liquid-Assisted Electrospun Biodegradable Polymer Fibers

Abstract

Enhanced awareness of the environment and environmental conservation has inspired researchers to search for replacements for the use of volatile organic compounds in the processing of polymers. Recently, ionic liquids have been utilized as solvents for solvating natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers since they are non-volatile, recyclable, and non-flammable. They have also been utilized to prepare electrospun fibers from biodegradable polymers. In this concise review, examples of natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers that are generally employed as materials for the preparation of electrospun fibers are shown. In addition, examples of ionic liquids that are utilized in the electrospinning of biodegradable polymers are also displayed. Furthermore, the preparations of biodegradable polymer electrospinning solutions utilizing ionic liquids are demonstrated. Additionally, the properties of electrospun biodegradable polymer fibers assisted by different ionic liquids are also concisely reviewed. Besides this, the information acquired from this review provides a much deeper understanding of the preparation of electrospinning solutions and the essential properties of electrospun biodegradable polymer fibers. In summary, this concise review discovered that different functions (solvent or additive) of ionic liquids could provide distinct properties to electrospun fibers.

Methods and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Hybrid Composites and Hybrid Polymer Composites: Influence of Ionic Liquid Addition

“…The usage of poly(lactic acid) suggests its popularity in sustainable composite fabrication. Its biodegradability and versatility align with the eco-conscious drive-in material selection [36]. Polypropylene, characterized by durability and chemical resistance, is also recurrently used, showcasing its essential role in composite fabrication.…”

“…Current research trends in the field of ionic liquids and polymer composites are focused on tailoring ionic liquids for specific polymer systems, involving the design of custom chemical structures and functionalization to enhance compatibility [12,31]. The application of ionic liquids to polymer composites and their role as alternative solvents for polymer processing is expanding [36], contributing to sustainable material development. only a few phosphonium-based ionic liquids.…”

Enhancing Polymer Sustainability: Eco-Conscious Strategies

“…Methods like supercritical CO2 polymerization using supercritical CO2 as a green solvent [114] and microwave-assisted polymerization methods like solvent-free microwave polymerization, aqueous microwave polymerization [115,116], ionic liquid-assisted polymerization [117,118], and mechanochemical polymerization [119,120] etc., are also found to be effective considering the improvement of sustainability. The usage of green/biodegradable catalysts and initiators [121,122] and renewable initiators [123] etc., could also improve the sustainability.…”

Coupling effect of ionic liquids on the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of polymer composites: A succinct review

“…8,9 They are also extensively used to dissolve natural and synthetic polymers for the production of nanomaterials. 10,11 Therefore, the application of ionic liquids as coupling agents for polymer composites is a promising method because they are extraordinarily companionable with numerous polymers and fillers. Table 1 shows examples of polymer matrices and fillers relevant to the coupling effect of ionic liquids in polymer composites.…”

“…Furthermore, ionic liquids are used as solvents 6,7 and plasticizers 8,9 . They are also extensively used to dissolve natural and synthetic polymers for the production of nanomaterials 10,11 . Therefore, the application of ionic liquids as coupling agents for polymer composites is a promising method because they are extraordinarily companionable with numerous polymers and fillers.…”