Transparent poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) nanofibers

Abstract

Nanofibers of n-Butyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate copolymer [P(BA-co-MMA)] were produced by electrospinning in this study. P(BA-co-MMA) was synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The structural and thermal properties of copolymers and electrospun P(BA-co-MMA) nanofibers were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-Attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR-ATR spectra and NMR spectrum revealed that BA and MMA had effectively participated in polymerization. The morphology of the resulting nanofibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, indicating that the diameters of P(BA-co-MMA) nanofibers were strongly dependent on the polymer solution dielectric constant, and concentration of solution and flow rate. Homogeneous electrospun P(BA-co-MMA) fibers as small as 390 6 30 nm were successfully produced. The dielectric properties of polymer solution strongly affected the diameter and morphology of electrospun polymer fibers. The bending instability of the electrospinning jet increased with higher dielectric constant. The charges inside the polymer jet tended to repel each other so as to stretch and reduce the diameter of the polymer fibers by the presence of high dielectric environment of the solvent. The extent to which the choice of solvent affects the nanofiber characteristics were well illustrated in the electrospinning of [P(BA-co-MMA)] from solvents and mixed solvents. Nanofiber mats showed relatively high hydrophobicity with intrinsic water contact angle up to 120 .

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“…Figure 2A shows the characteristic peaks at 2922, 1724, 1437, and 1142 cm −1 , attributing to CH 2 , CO, CH 3 , and C− O stretching vibrations in MMA, BA, and PEGDMA. As earlier studied, 29 PMMA and PBA had similar molecular backbones with slight differences found in FTIR spectra. A peak at 840 cm −1 was particularly assigned to the CH 2 CH 2 O vibration of PEGDMA.…”

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“…The bands described are characteristic of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), however, the absorption band at 961 cm -1 is typical of polybutylacrylate (PBA), this band is due to the oscillation of the carbon of the -COO group of the PBA, as found in the literature [32]. PMMA and PBA had similar molecular backbones, only slight differences were found in their FTIR spectra, the presence of these segments suggests the presence of the copolymer P(MMA-co-BA) [33].…”

Nanostructured Copper Selenide Coatings for Antifouling Applications

“…The presence of the band at 3446 cm −1 suggests the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) or water molecules trapped in the test material[35]. The bands described are characteristic of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA); however, the absorption band at 961 cm −1 is typical of polybutylacrylate (PBA), and this band is due to the oscillation of the carbon of the -COO group of the PBA, as found in the literature[36].…”

“…The presence of the band at 3446 cm −1 suggests the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) or water molecules trapped in the test material [ 35 ]. The bands described are characteristic of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA); however, the absorption band at 961 cm −1 is typical of polybutylacrylate (PBA), and this band is due to the oscillation of the carbon of the -COO group of the PBA, as found in the literature [ 36 ]. PMMA and PBA had similar molecular backbones; only slight differences were found in their FTIR spectra, and the presence of these segments suggests the presence of the copolymer P(MMA-co-BA) [ 37 ].…”