Structure and surface nanomechanics of poly(l-lactide) from thermally induced phase separation process

► Early stage evolution of structure and nanoscale property in TIPS process. ► Nanofiber initiate from crystalline grains and assembled with a bunch of thinner ones. ► Crystallization result in more chain entanglement and decrease chain mobility. ► Chain packing has a direct functional consequence in the nanomechnical properties. ► Nanofiber have more significant plastic deformation and creep.