Flexible electrospun PET/TiO2 nanofibrous structures: Morphology,thermal and mechanical properties

In this study, a solvothermal method was used to synthesize anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles in the presence of oleic acid (OA) and oleylamine (OM) as morphology‐directing agents. Functional nanocomposite fibers of poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET) containing surfactants‐capped TiO₂ nanoparticles were developed by electrospinning technique. The morphology, thermal stability and mechanical properties of PET/TiO₂ nanocomposite mats were investigated as a function of TiO₂ concentration. Morphology investigation showed interesting results in terms of the level of TiO₂ dispersion inside the fibers and the improvement of the quality (smoothness) of the fibers' surface when the synthesized nanorhombic TiO₂ nanoparticles were used compared to a commercial P25 TiO₂ (AEROXIDE P25)_. The presence of OA and OM on the surface of the nanorhombic synthesized TiO₂ led to a significant improvement of TiO₂ dispersion inside the PET matrix. Furthermore, the physical interaction between the PET matrix and TiO₂ nanoparticles resulted in an enhanced thermal stability, and an increase of the Young's modulus and tensile strength for TiO₂ concentration up to 10 wt%.