Ordered exfoliated silicate platelets architecture: hydrogen bonded poly(acrylic acid)–poly(ethylene oxide)/Na–montmorillonite complex nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning technique

Abstract

Hydrogen bonded poly(acrylic acid)–poly(ethylene oxide) interpolymer nanofibrous membranes containing well-arranged/dispersed exfoliated Na–montmorillonite platelets were obtained successfully using the electrospinning technique. The as-spun composite nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns and electron microscopy, and confirm the formation of a favoring ordered exfoliated architecture along the fiber axis. Thermal analysis suggested that an increase in both the thermal stability and the melting point of the as-synthesized composite nanostructures could be a result of ordered exfoliated morphology as well as the well-distributed clay platelets along the fiber axis. Improved morphological and thermal properties assigned to aligned clay platelets induced by the electrospinning technique make the as-spun non-woven membranes more promising candidates in tissue engineering, drug delivery, fuel cell proton exchange membranes and environmental pollution treatment applications.