STABILIZED NANOFIBERS, METHODS FOR PRODUCING, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF
A surface treatment method is described herein where a stabilizing (e.g., crosslinking agent) is pre-mixed into a fluid stock comprising a processable polymer. The stock is processed to form products (e.g., nanofibers or films), followed by exposing the products to a stabilizing (e.g., crosslinking catalyst, such as acid vapors), which results in stabilization (e.g., polymer cross-linking on the surface of the product). In some embodiments, the morphology of the product is not changed upon crosslinking. Moreover in some instances, this method does not need strong acids and is performed with weak acids such as acetic acid which reduces environmental pollution. In addition to water soluble polymers (e.g., PVA), this method is applicable to proteins such as soy protein, and combinations of polymers and proteins in various embodiments.