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Enhanced compatibilization and orientation of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin composite fibers using carbon nanotubes
Author(s) -
Su Juanxia,
Wang Qi,
Su Run,
Wang Ke,
Zhang Qin,
Fu Qiang
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.27552
Subject(s) - gelatin , crystallinity , materials science , polyvinyl alcohol , compatibilization , composite number , differential scanning calorimetry , composite material , carbon nanotube , scanning electron microscope , ultimate tensile strength , chemical engineering , polymer blend , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , copolymer , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/gelatin composite fibers containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) had been prepared by wet‐spinning method. A remarkable increase of tensile strength of the PVA/gelatin fibers was achieved by adding small amount of CNT. The mechanism of reinforcement has been studied using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 2D wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (2D‐WAXD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM showed a decreased gelatin domain size by adding CNTs, suggesting a possible compatibilization effect between PVA and gelatin. On the other hand, an increased crystallinity and degree of orientation of PVA/gelatin fibers has been observed by adding CNTs. Thus, the increased compatibilization, crystallinity and degree of orientation in PVA/gelatin/CNTs composite fibers should be the reasons for the observed increase of mechanical properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008