Transition behaviors and hybrid nanofibers of poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyethylene glycol–POSS telechelic blends

We report solution properties of the blend solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–POSS telechelic and its corresponding hybrid nanofibers prepared by electrospinning. The morphologies, microstructures, and wettability of the resulting PVA/PEG3.4k–POSS hybrid nanofibers are studied. The morphologies of the resultant PVA/PEG3.4k–POSS nanofibers are regular with the fiber diameter ranging from 610 ± 110 to 810 ± 280 nm. When the content of PEG3.4k–POSS telechelic increases above 20 wt.%, the beaded fiber morphologies are observed due to severe aggregations of the PEG3.4k–POSS telechelics as well as increased viscosity at higher concentration. In addition, the solution properties of pure PEG3.4k–POSS telechelic solution (ca. 3–5 wt.%) and PVA/PEG3.4k–POSS solutions blended with PVA are explored, and found to show the reversible turbid-to-transparent transition behavior with respect to the solution temperature. Water contact angle measurement of the PVA/PEG3.4k–POSS nanofiber membranes demonstrates an enhanced hydrophobic nature due to the incorporated POSS moieties.