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The efficacy of electrospun polyurethane fibers with TiO2 in a real time weathering condition

This study focuses on the behavior of electrospun polyurethane fibers filled with nano, micro spheres and nanotubes TiO2, thus nTiO2, mTiO2 or TiNT, under real time UV radiation. Analyses were conducted using SEM, ATR-FTIR, TGA and DSC technique. Significant changes of TPU+0.5% nTiO2 and TPU+0.5% mTiO2 fibers morphology i.e. agglomerated TiO2 particles were observed on materials surface due to thermoplastic polyurethane fibers degradation, also supported by FTIR spectra given as reduction in the peaks intensities after UV radiation, especially in case of TPU+0.5% nTiO2. Further, after UV radiation initial degradation temperature reduction of the hard segment for all materials was up to 40 °C. Significant reduction in the final degradation temperature (from 397.8 to 274.1 °C) was noticed for the mTiO2 filled fibers, suggesting their photocatalytic activity, while Tg was increased for up to 20 oC for almost all fillers added TPU, thus indicating lower molecular chain mobility upon UV radiation.

Electrospinning ; Polyurethane ; TiO2 ; Scaffolds ; UV ; Degradation

Article first published online: July 26, 2017