Abstract
Novel 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers have been successfully fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The high aspect ratio, hydrophilic surfaces, and metallic conductivity of delaminated MXene nanosheet render it promising nanofiller for high performance nanocomposites. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were used to improve the mechanical properties of the nanofibers. The obtained electrospun nanofibers had diameter from 174 to 194 nm depending on ratio between PVA, CNC and MXene. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated an increase in the elastic modulus from 392 MPa for neat PVA fibers to 855 MPa for fibers containing CNC and MXene at 25°C. Moreover, PVA nanofibers containing 0.14 wt. % Ti3C2Tx exhibited dc conductivity of 0.8 mS/cm conductivity which is superior compared to similar composites prepared using methods other than electrospinning. Improved mechanical and electrical characteristics of the Ti3C2Tx /CNC/PVA composites make them viable materials for high performance energy applications.
Highlights
The demand for highly conductive, lightweight and flexible electrodes for various energy applications has sparked interest in developing new methods to fabricate freestanding and flexible films, containing minimum inactive ingredients
A mixed solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing different wt % of Ti3C2Tx and Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was used to fabricate the electrospun nanofibers
This work reports the preparation of Ti3C2Tx, MXene and CNC reinforced electrospun PVA nanofibers for the first time
Summary
The demand for highly conductive, lightweight and flexible electrodes for various energy applications has sparked interest in developing new methods to fabricate freestanding and flexible films, containing minimum inactive ingredients. Nanofibers prepared by electrospinning (ES) are of considerable interest for various applications due to their unique nanofibrous structure, large surface area, and high porosity [1,2,3]. Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers are of particular interest due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability [4, 5]. PVA has good transparency and anti-electrostatic properties [6]. The hydrophilic nature of PVA-based films is useful for applications like desalination membranes due to reduced fouling by nonpolar molecules, microbes and fulvic.
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