On the Unique Morphology and Elastic Properties of Multi-Jet Electrospun Cashew Gum-Based Fiber Mats
Mattia Grumi,
Cristina Prieto,
Roselayne F. Furtado,
Huai N. Cheng,
Atanu Biswas,
Sara Limbo,
Luis Cabedo,
Jose M. Lagaron
Affiliations
Mattia Grumi
Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Group, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain
Cristina Prieto
Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Group, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain
Roselayne F. Furtado
Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita 2270, Fortaleza 60511-110, Brazil
Huai N. Cheng
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
Atanu Biswas
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604, USA
Sara Limbo
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giovanni Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
Luis Cabedo
Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), 12006 Castellon, Spain
Jose M. Lagaron
Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Group, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain
This study investigates the unique morphology and mechanical properties of multi-jet electrospun cashew gum (CG) when combined with high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) and glycerol. Cashew gum (CG) is a low-cost, non-toxic heteropolysaccharide derived from Anacardium occidentale trees. Initially, the electrospinnability of aqueous solutions of cashew gum alone or in combination with PEO was evaluated. It was found that cashew gum alone was not suitable for electrospinning; thus, adding a small quantity of PEO was needed to create the necessary molecular entanglements for fiber formation. By using a single emitter with a CG:PEO ratio of 85:15, straight and smooth fibers with some defects were obtained. However, additional purification of the cashew gum solution was needed to produce more stable and defect-free straight and smooth fibers. Additionally, the inclusion of glycerol as a plasticizer was required to overcome material fragility. Interestingly, when the optimized formulation was electrospun using multiple simultaneous emitters, thicker aligned fiber bundles were achieved. Furthermore, the resulting oriented fiber mats exhibited unexpectedly high elongation at break under ambient conditions. These findings underscore the potential of this bio-polysaccharide-based formulation for non-direct water contact applications that demand elastic properties.