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4701639 
Journal Article 
Characterization of New Type Polymer Composites Prepared by in situ Coffining Electrospun Fibers into Polymer Matrixes 
Tsutsumi, H; Hara, C 
2008 
Boston, MA 
Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, NSTI-Nanotech, Nanotechnology 2008 
2 
733-+ 
English 
WOS:000272169900198 
A number of methods are available for preparing a fiber reinforced polymer composite from two or more polymer matrixes and fibers. Many difficulties (for example, increasing viscosity of processing fluid, homogeneity of fibers in the matrix, and so on) during composite preparation process limit the fiber diameter and length. We propose new type reinforced polymer composites by in situ coffining electrospun fibers into polymer matrix. The reinforced composites have the structure that one-dimensional poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, fibers are coffined into the poly(styrene), PSt, matrix.



AFM images of the PVA-PSt composite films prepared by in situ coffining method show its fibrous surface with many trenches. The electrospun PVA fibers carve the trenches on the film surface. Film elongation of the PSt cast film and the PVA-PSt reinforced composite film under heating condition was investigated. Both of the PSt-based films started to elongate over 80 degrees C. However, the elongation of the PVA-PSt composite film was smaller than that of PSI cast film. This suggests that the electrospun PVA fibers coffined into the PSt matrix reinforce the composite film. 
electrospinning; reinforced material; nano-fiber; composite 
Hanna Llp, Willy A. Bachofen A. G. WITec GmbH World Gold Council