Fabrication of toughest and transparent electrospun nylon 6 nanofiber-reinforced PVA composites

In this study, we focused on the manufacturing of void-free composites of electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers as reinforcement for the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. PVA solution was introduced into the nylon 6 nanofibrous mat using a solution impregnation method and solution filtration method. The introduction of nylon 6 nanofiber mats as a reinforcement achieved a synergistic effect in mechanical efficiency for the PVA matrix. The optimized 15 wt% polymer solution in the composite was revealed significant enhancement in the ultimate tensile stress and tensile modulus by sacrificing the % elongation. These composite films displayed optical light transmittance of 85% and 53% by solution impregnation method and solution filtration method, respectively.