Development of Biobased Poly(Lactic Acid)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends Processed by Electrospinning: Morphological, Structural and Thermal Properties

This article reports the production of electrospun fibers from blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) solutions. The produced fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). SEM images showed the reduction in fiber size with ENR content of up to 25% in the mixture PLA/ENR. FTIR analysis revealed a possible interaction between carboxylic group of PLA and epoxi group of ENR. Thermal analysis showed the increase of the crystallinity fraction with ENR content and a decrease in thermal stability of eletrospun mats with the addition of ENR. The dynamic mechanical properties showed an enhancement of the stiffness of PLA/ENR blends with the increase of ENR content, which can support the production of interesting materials for tissue engineering based on renewable and biocompatible polymers. The reported properties indicate the possibility to use such fiber mats as potential materials in tissue engineering.