Preparation and characterization of nanoclay/polylactide composite nanofibers via electrospinning technique

The electrospinning technique was used to produce nanoclay/polylactide (PLA) composite nanofibers, and the composite nanofibers were collected into non-woven films. SEM and TEM were used to investigate micromorphology and structure of fiber. XRD and TGA were used to investigate the crystallization and thermal properties, the relationship between the tensile mechanical properties of the composite nanofiber membranes and the contents of the nanoclay was revealed. The results reveal that the fineness and uniformity of the prepared nanoclay/PLA composite nanofibers are improved by 10wt% of PLA, 1wt% of nanoclay, solvent of CHCl₃ and DMF(3:1, volume ratio). The inclusion of nanoclay in PLA is confirmed by XRD test results. TGA and mechanical test results show that the thermal stability and mechanical properties of nanoclay/PLA composite nanofibers are markedly improved than those of pure PLA. The initial temperature of heat decomposition increases by 60 ℃ by 1wt% of nanoclay, and tensile strength, elongation at break and elastic modulus increase by 111.3%, 74.9% and 20.0%, respectively.