Robust polylactide nanofibrous membranes by gelation/crystallization from solution

Most porous membranes are fabricated from petroleum-based polymers without biodegradation, which could pose environmental problems in the disposal stage after use. In this case biodegradable polylactide (PLA) is adopted to produce porous membranes by gelation/crystallization from solution. Abundant nanofibers prevail in the resulting porous membranes, which becomes remarkable with the decrease in the gelation/crystallization temperatures and PLA concentration in solutions. The nanofibers in the porous membranes are well interconnected with each other which is responsible for superior mechanical properties. Notably, very high rejection towards bovine serum albumin is realized by the nanofibrous membranes. Robust polylactide nanofibrous membranes were obtained by gelation/crystallization from solution.