Effects of heat treatment and the method of collection on the crystal structure of the poly lactic acid electrospinned nanofibers

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibers obtained by electrospinning report low mechanical strength. This study aims to show the changes in the mechanical properties of PLA nanofibers due to the type of collection and thermal treatment. PLA nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning, collected randomly and orderly, with thermal treatment carried out at 80 ºC for 8 hours to increase cross-linking and the crystalline phase of the scaffolding. Results showed that the rotary collection process generates higher molecular order and increases the mechanical properties under study, while annealing extends the crystallinity of the nanofibers without significantly affecting these properties.