Highly extensible bio-nanocomposite fibers. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Here, we show that a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer can be physically cross-linked with silicate nanoparticles (Laponite) to yield highly extensible, bio-nanocomposite fibers that, upon pulling, stretch to extreme lengths and crystallize polymer chains. We find that both, nanometer structures and mechanical properties of the fibers respond to mechanical deformation by exhibiting strain-induced crystallization and high elongation. We explore the structural characteristics using X-ray scattering and the mechanical properties of the dried fibers made from hydrogels in order to determine feasibility for eventual biomedical use and to map out directions for further materials development.

published proceedings

  • Macromol Rapid Commun

author list (cited authors)

  • Gaharwar, A. K., Schexnailder, P. J., Dundigalla, A., White, J. D., Matos-Prez, C. R., Cloud, J. L., ... Schmidt, G.

citation count

  • 44

complete list of authors

  • Gaharwar, Akhilesh K||Schexnailder, Patrick J||Dundigalla, Avinash||White, James D||Matos-PĂ©rez, Cristina R||Cloud, Joshua L||Seifert, Soenke||Wilker, Jonathan J||Schmidt, Gudrun

publication date

  • January 2011

publisher