Characterization of pullulan/chitosan oligosaccharide/montmorillonite nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technique

Pullulan/Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)/Montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid nanofibers were electrospun from their aqueous solution using different Pullulan/COS mass ratios and variable amounts of MMT. The effects of Pullulan/COS mass ratios and MMT contents on the morphologies and properties of Pullulan/COS/MMT hybrid nanofibers were investigated. The obtained nanofibers were characterized with field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile strength measurement. The Pullulan/COS mass ratio and MMT contents significantly influence the morphologies and properties of the Pullulan/COS/MMT hybrid nanofibers. Higher Pullulan contents than COS contents forms uniform and bead free nanofibers. The addition of COS to Pullulan improves the thermal stability of Pullulan/COS blend nanofibers. The incorporation of MMT to the Pullulan/COS/MMT hybrid nanofibers increase their fiber diameter, improves their thermal stability and tensile strength. These morphological changes and property enhancement depend on the amount of MMT added. The XRD and TEM results suggest the coexistence of Pullulan, COS and MMT within polymer matrix through intercalation of polymer chain between silicate layers forming well-ordered multiplayer morphology with alternating polymeric and silicate layers.