Highly Aligned Cellulose Nanowhisker Reinforced PVA Nanofiber Webs Via Electronspinning Method

Cellulose nanowhiskers reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber web were fabricated using electrospinning technique. The electrospun fiber diameter is ~300nm. Electrospun fiber alignment was achieved by using a rotating collector. A degree of alignment was measured by SEM observation and analyzed with an computer enhanced image analysis program. Tensile strength and modulus of cellulose nanowhiskers reinforced nanocomposites web was improved compared to pure PVA thin films. Mechanical properties of random distributed electrospun fiber thin films and aligned fiber thin films were compared. Relations of reinforcement effects, fiber alignment and cellulose nanowhiskers alignment have been investigated. Glutaraldehyde (GA) and Polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) were introduced to cellulose nanowhiskers - PVA electrospun fibers as cross-linkers. Cross-linking effects on mechanical properties of electrospun fibers have been studied. Detailed cross-linking mechanism of PAE has been investigated.