Nanocomposites of Electrospun Poly[(<scp>D</scp>,<scp>L</scp>‐lactic)<i>‐co‐</i>(glycolic acid)] and Plasma‐Functionalized Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Abstract The conductance of amine‐functionalized SWCNTs (a‐SWCNTs), obtained by inductively coupled N 2 /H 2 plasma treatment of commercially available carboxyl‐functionalized SWCNTs (c‐SWCNTs), was decreased compared to that of the c‐SWCNTs. As a result, the diameter and surface energy of electrospun PLGA/a‐SWCNT nanocomposites decreased and increased, respectively, compared to those of electrospun PLGA/c‐SWCNT nanocomposites. The results also showed that the a‐SWCNTs were well dispersed in the nanocomposites, improved adhesion of SWCNTs to the surrounding polymer matrix and thereby enhanced the tensile modulus of electrospun PLGA/c‐SWCNT and PLGA/a‐SWCNT nanocomposites by 127 and 226%, respectively, compared to that of electrospun PLGA membranes. magnified image