Effect of Exposure in Aqueous Medium at Elevated Temperature on the Structure of Nonwoven Materials Based on Polylactide and Natural Rubber

Nonwoven composite materials based on polylactide and natural rubber are obtained by electrospinning. Using optical microscopy, it is shown that natural rubber influences the diameter and geometry of the elementary fiber. Features of crystalline and amorphous phases in the samples are studied by the spin-probe EPR method and differential scanning calorimetry. The introduction of 5, 10, and 15 wt % rubber into the polylactide matrix causes a sharp rise in the molecular mobility of the probe and increases the melting enthalpy of the fiber. Exposure in aqueous medium at 45 and 70°С for 3 and 5 h considerably affects the structural and dynamic parameters of fibers, as evinced by a sharp reduction in the correlation time and an increase in the melting enthalpy.