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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233404
Title: Fabrication of Tunable Submicro- or Nano-structured Polyethylene Materials form Immiscible Blends with Cellulose Acetate Butyrate

Author
item WANG, DONG - UC DAVIS
item SUN, GANG - UC DAVIS
item Chiou, Bor-Sen

Submitted to: Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2008
Publication Date: 8/13/2008
Citation: Wang, D., Sun, G., Chiou, B. 2008. Fabrication of Tunable Submicro- or Nano-structured Polyethylene Materials form Immiscible Blends with Cellulose Acetate Butyrate. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. 2008. 293(8):655-657.

Interpretive Summary: Polymer nanofibers were produced from a novel extrusion process and their properties were compared to those of microspheres. A compatibilizer was added to control the size of the fibers and spheres. This technique is a viable and general method to control material properties of polymers.

Technical Abstract: Low density polyethylene (LDPE) was prepared into micro- or submicro-spheres or nanofibers via melt blending or extrusion of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)/LDPE immiscible blends and subsequent removal of the CAB matrix. The sizes of the PE spheres or fibers can be successfully controlled by varying the composition ratio and modifying the interfacial properties of the blends. The surface structures of LDPE micro- or submicro-spheres and nanofibers were analyzed using SEM and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. In addition, the crystalline structures of the LDPE nanofibers were characterized.