Development, performance research and shape memory multifunctional exploration of epoxy/PEG shape memory nanofibers

Abstract

To improve the spinnability of thermoplastic epoxy resin and develop epoxy resin-based shape memory nanofiber materials, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was utilized to regulate the properties of thermoplastic epoxy. The process involved the preparation of thermoplastic epoxy/PEG nanofibers using melt-dispersion and electrospinning techniques. The addition of PEG has enabled the electrospinning of the thermoplastic epoxy, with EPP-5 having the smallest average diameter (227 nm) and EPP-10 showing the most uniform morphology. FTIR analysis confirmed sufficient polymerization of epoxy resin. The water contact angle analysis revealed that an appropriate amount of PEG reduced the hydrophilicity of the nanofiber membranes, with the EPP-10 showing a 14.9 ° increase in water contact angle compared to the EPP-5. The mechanical analysis demonstrated that an appropriate amount of PEG improved the nanofibers’ yield stress, breaking strain, and maximum tensile stress. The EPP-10 exhibited a 3.27 MPa increase in yield stress, a 19.54 % increase in breaking strain, and a 1.17 MPa increase in maximum tensile stress compared to the EPP-5. Thermal analysis showed that epoxy/PEG nanofibers decomposed mainly between 400 ℃ and 500 ℃. Thermomechanical analysis revealed a reduction in the Tg of epoxy/PEG films with the addition of PEG, among which the Tg of EPP-25 was 55.1 ℃ lower than that of EPP-0. The epoxy/PEG nanofiber membrane exhibits excellent shape memory performance, among which the EPP-10 exhibits the best shape recovery effect. In addition, the EPP-10 yarn stretched to 160 % of original length recovered within 25 s, and EPP-10 yarn tied in a temporary shape recovered to original shape within 15 s. In conclusion, by modulating the properties of thermoplastic epoxy through PEG, the spinnability of thermoplastic epoxy was achieved, and shape memory epoxy/PEG nanofibers with potential applications in the field of smart textiles were developed.