Thermochromic and/or photochromic properties of electrospun cellulose acetate microfibers for application as sensors in smart packing

Abstract

There is growing demand for smart materials whose chemical structure, shape, and/or color, among other properties could be modified for use in applied packaging in the food industry, pharmacy, textiles, and so forth. These variations results from external stimuli, whether chemical, physical, and/or environmental (humidity, heat, light, and so forth), which has created promising materials for use in various areas of engineering, such as the production of ultrasensitive sensors with the capacity that the said variations are perceptible to the naked eye. The production of nanostructured sensor membranes obtained by electrospinning is one interesting alternative that has been attracting the attention of researchers in recent years. However, many studies related to the application of photosensors supported in electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) have not been found in the literature. Among the most used materials in electrospinning, CA stands out due to its wide availability and low cost that reflects in several applications. Two commercial sensitive pigments were used, a thermosensitive and a photosensitive one, in concentrations between 0 and 10% (m/v), to evaluate the best amount in the nanosensors they could be seen through naked eye. Variation on the fibers morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The stability and thermal transitions were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The composition of chemical fibers was studied using FTIR-ATR. Finally, the thermal and/or UV light response was performed by qualitative test.

Evaluation of the polycaprolactone (PCL) hydrolytic degradation in acid solvent and its influence on the electrospinning process

“…The unique properties offered by nano and submicron fibers, such as the high superficial area and porosity, have been the most attractive for expanding applications in diverse areas such as environmental filtration, construction, energy storage and conversion, sensors, intelligent packing, tissue engineering, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6] This can be attributed to easy fabrication, reproductivity, and a larger type of polymers which allow the development of more advanced manufacturing science and techniques that can simultaneously provide highquality, high production rate, low cost, easy maintenance, and high reliability to fulfill industrial requirements. [7,8] Electrospinning is the most popular method used for the produced fibers in a submicrometric scale from a polymer solution or melt and is composed of a syringe infusion pump with a metallic needle, a high-voltage source, and a grounded metallic collector.…”

Evaluation of the polycaprolactone hydrolytic degradation in acid solvent and its influence on the electrospinning process

“…Electrospun nano‐ and submicron‐scale fibrous mats, characterized by high surface area and porosity, have attracted significant attention in several applications, such as environmental filtration, construction, energy storage and conversion, sensors, intelligent packaging, and tissue engineering 1–6 . This global surge in electrospun nanofibers interest can be ascribed to the electrospinning technique's high production rates, cost‐effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and reliability, meeting industrial requirements for various polymeric fiber materials.…”

Evaluation of polycaprolactone nanofibers’ spinnability using green solvent systems by solution blow spinning (SBS)

“…Among the mentioned morphologies, nanofibers are complex systems with extremely high surface area. They can be used for wound dressing, and 3D matrices for tissue engineering, packaging for the food industry, and matrices for the controlled release of fertilizers into the soil, among others [2][3][4][5]. Electrospinning is the most popular method for producing these types of fibers from polymeric solutions.…”