All-Organic, Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Composites with Electrospun Fiber Fillers

ACS Macro Lett. 2012 Jan 17;1(1):80-83. doi: 10.1021/mz200049v. Epub 2011 Nov 17.

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive materials are desired for a wide range of applications. Here, we report the design and fabrication of all-organic, stimuli-responsive polymer composites using electrospun nanofibers as the filler. The incorporation of 4 wt % of filler into the polymer matrix increased the tensile storage modulus by 2 orders of magnitude. Upon exposure to water, the filler fibers plasticize and no longer provide mechanical reinforcement. The tensile storage modulus subsequently diminishes 2 orders of magnitude to the value of the neat matrix polymer.