Preparation of porous poly(l-lactic acid)/tobermorite composite membranes via electrospinning and heat treatment

A novel poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/tobermorite composite porous membrane for use as filter materials was synthesized by electrospinning a mixture of tobermorite modified by poly(dialyldimethylammoniumchloride) (PDDA) and PLLA. X-ray diffraction patterns of the sample indicated the existence of tobermorite in the sample. Scanning electron micrographs of the sample showed that the nonwoven membrane consists of a few microscopic fibers despite the existence of tobermorite particles. This was due to repulsive force and surface tension. However, no tobermorite particle was exposed at its fiber surface. Thermal analysis showed PLLA of the sample pyrolyzed with two steps of weight loss (44% at around 170 °C and 34% at around 270 °C). Heat treatment of the sample at 130 and 250 °C led to crystallization of a part of amorphous PLLA in the fiber and elimination of the remaining amorphous PLLA, respectively. After the treatment, the membrane maintained its porous structure and was coated with tobermorite particles at the fiber surface.