PEO-Sn Nanofibers

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers loaded by various concentrations of Sn have been obtained by force spinning. Homogeneous solutions of PEO in deionized water, with concentrations ranging between 8 and 12 % wt. PEO have been prepared. Various amounts on Sn nanoparticles have been added to these solutions. The as-obtained mixtures were homogenized by stirring 4 h, at room temperature and 1,000 rotations per minute and then subjected to the force spinning, at room temperature, and various spinning rates ranging between 1,000 and 9,000 rotations per minute.
The structure and morphology of mates of PEO based nanofibers loaded by various amounts of Sn nanoparticles and of the corresponding thick films were investigated by Raman, FTIR, X-Ray, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The effect of the concentration of the nanofiller on the position of Raman and FTIR lines was analyzed in detail and related to the elastic features of these nanocomposites. The differences between mats and macroscopic samples (thick films) are discussed in detail. Additional X-Ray data focused on the crystal structure including crystallites sizes and orientations are reported.