Light transmission and the fine structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanofibers and films

In this paper, the structure and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers and films were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and Wide-Angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) results confirmed the amorphous structure of both nanofibers and films. Low angle X-ray diffraction (LA-XRD) revealed the presence of voids and/or particles with the spacing of 128.4 within the nanofibers. From the Porod plots, a three-dimensional surface fractal for the nanofibers and a mass fractal structure for the films were derived. By the interpretation of Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), the shape and size of the particles in the samples were assessed. It was concluded that the particles shape within the nanofibers and the films were globular, with the radius of gyration of 8.5 nm for the nanofibers and 16.5 nm for the films. The nanofiber mat showed less light transparency when compared with the film. This phenomenon could be attributed to the difference in the physical shape, as well as scattering of the light by the voids or particles within the nanofibers.