Simultaneous enhancements in the strength, modulus and toughness of electrospun polymeric membranes

Abstract

We have developed a self-reinforcement method, referred to as the solvent–non-solvent method, which optimized the mechanical performance of electrospun (ES) polymeric membranes. It was found that an as-spun polycarbonate (PC) membrane post-treated (immersion) by a mixed solvent composed of 30% solvent and 70% non-solvent achieved simultaneous enhancements in the strength (128%), modulus (296%) and strain at break (88%). Structural investigations and comparisons enabled us to attribute these enhancements to the fusion of junction points between fibers. Furthermore, a post-treated ES polylactic acid (PLA) membrane for tissue engineering exhibited not only enhanced mechanical properties but also improved cell viability and proliferation.