Electrospinning of Fatty Acid-Based and Metal Incorporated Polymers for the Fabrication of Eco-Friendly Fibers

Abstract

Accumulation of plastic wastes occupies large space in gyres of the oceans called the 7th continent. This high-level concentration of toxic plastic wastes causes harmful consequences for marine life, therefore petroleum-originated plastics must be replaced (or at least partially) with natural resources. The environmental trends in material preparation promote the utilization of greener methods and materials when the limited primary sources are considered. Starting from the fatty acid macroperoxide initiators, synthesis of bio-based polymers using less commercial chemicals and stepwise green synthesis schemes could be possible in the near future. In this research, autoxidized vegetable oil initiators (castor, limonene, and soybean oil) containing metal nanoparticles (silver, platinum, and gold) are employed for free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. The metal loaded and vegetable oil-based polymers are processed by electrospinning and end up with the successful fabrication of continuous fibers. Ag-loaded ricinoleic acid based polymers show notable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. This approach offers a remarkable minimization of the initiator consumption in the synthesis of such synthetic macromolecules as well as nanoparticle containing polymer composites while still maintaining the ease of processing. Transforming the obtained graft copolymers to electrospun nanofibers facilitates the use as support materials for antibacterial surfaces.