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