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Enhanced Molecular Alignment in Poly-l-Lactic Acid Nanotubes Induced via Melt-Press Template-Wetting

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Lindackers, C 
McCarthy, K 

Abstract

jats:titleAbstract</jats:title>jats:pMolecular ordering in polymers can have a drastic effect on their properties and can be used to induce or enhance functionality. In the case of poly‐jats:scl</jats:sc>‐lactic acid (PLLA), which is a widely used polymer in biomedicine, sensors, and actuators, preferential orientation of chains can lead to significantly enhanced electromechanical properties. In this context, template‐wetting is a straightforward method of producing polymer nanostructures, which can lead to some degree of molecular order in the polymer. Template‐wetting of PLLA has not been fully explored, especially in terms of morphological and/or structural characterization. In this work, PLLA nanotubes are grown via a modification of the template‐wetting process, referred to here as melt‐press template‐wetting. The nanotubes are thoroughly characterized with wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, isothermal differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized light optical microscopy. This characterization indicates that the polymer chains in these PLLA nanotubes are aligned parallel to the cylindrical axis of the nanotube, which may be beneficial in certain applications.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

poly-l-lactic acid, nanotubes, template-wetting, molecular orientation

Journal Title

Macromolecular Materials and Engineering

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1438-7492
1439-2054

Volume Title

304

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
European Research Council (639526)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/R022283/1)
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