Annealing effects on mechanical properties and shape memory behaviors of silicone-coated elastomeric polycaprolactone nanofiber filaments

The annealing effects on thermodynamic properties and shape memory behaviors of the polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber filaments coated with silicone elastomer (Sylgard 184) were studied. The PCL nanofiber filaments were prepared from fiber mats having different thickness at different twist numbers via a twisting process. The thermodynamic and mechanical properties were remarkably enhanced by twist number as well as annealing process. Moreover, the Sylgard-coating has played a significant role to maintain the shape of each PCL nanofibers even above the melting point and to improve the toughness of the PCL nanofiber filaments.