Hybrid nanofibrous mats with remarkable solvent and temperature resistance produced by electrospinning technique

A novel organic/inorganic hybrid copolymer poly[styrene- co -3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl-methacrylate] [P(St- co -TMSPMA)] (denoted as PST) was successfully prepared from styrene and TMSPMA by free-radical polymerization. These composite fiber mats of PST were fabricated via a typical electrospinning process using a single solvent system. As shown in the SEM, the PST composite nanofibers have a smooth and uniform surface and the average diameter is about 0.2 ± 0.04 μm. After the methoxysilyl groups (Si O CH 3 ) were hydrolyzed toward silanol groups (Si OH), the nanofibrous mats exhibited remarkable solvent and temperature resistance. On account of good chemical and thermal stability, this hybrid mats can provide a useful platform for developing functionalized mat systems.