Silicone-coated elastomeric polylactide nanofiber filaments: mechanical properties and shape memory behavior

We report the preparation and shape memory behavior of the poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) nanofiber filaments coated with silicone elastomer (Sylgard 184). The mechanical properties and thermodynamic properties of the electrospun PLLA nanofiber filaments were remarkably enhanced by twisting and annealing. In addition, Sylgard-coating was performed in an effort to toughen the PLLA nanofiber filaments. The combined technique using twisting, annealing, and Sylgard-coating processes could provide a very effective way to produce the PLLA nanofiber filaments with shape memory and enhanced mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a universal testing machine (UTM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to measure the morphologies, mechanical properties, thermodynamic properties of the Sylgard-coated PLLA nanofiber filaments, respectively.