Electrospun multifiber PMMA with graphene oxide nanoparticles: A physical characterization

Multifiber polymethylmethacrylate (MF-PMMA), a thermoplastic polymer, was produced as a monodimensional nanostructure via the electrospinning technique. Due to the peculiar properties attributed to its nanoscale dimension, the MF-PMMA material was thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology, density, optical and electrical properties, surface wettability, and other physical characteristics. A detailed comparison was made with both bulk PMMA and MF-PMMA containing a high concentration (10 wt%) of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs). The obtained polymer had a high-density multifiber surface, was hydrophobic and opaque, and contained graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO NPs) firmly bonded to the wires during the electrospinning process. MF-PMMA, with or without the addition of GO, demonstrated, to some different extent, a strong capacity to absorb high concentrations of gases, water, other substances and nanoparticles. It also resulted in an optimum biocompatible material that functions as a dielectric medium and possesses soft and shock-absorbing properties, similar to those of polymer tissue, and was considered useful for many applications, some of which will be presented and discussed in this work.