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


Change log
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)