Production of electrospun hybrid membranes based on polyamide 6 reinforced with hemp fibers dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ionic liquid

This paper is focused on the fabrication of novel hybrid materials based on electrospun polyamide fibers reinforced with hemp fibers (HF) dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ionic liquid (IL). The physical properties of the hybrid electrospun materials have been evaluated. SEM micrographs showed an interconnected structure between polyamide 6 (PA6) and IL dissolved hemp fibers. X-ray and FTIR analysis were carried out to support the SEM images. DSC and TGA profiles gave information related to the thermal stability of electrospun membrane while barrier properties analysis proved the improvement in terms of water sensitivity and reduction of water clustering phenomena. Moreover, the improvement of mechanical properties was obtained after the introduction of IL dissolved HF leading to an increase in Young's modulus of about 640 %. The antioxidant properties of reinforced PA6 fibers were even carried out, proving an enhancement of radical scavenging activity of about 68 %. Finally, the computational work and the estimation of surface energy distribution were reported.