Carbon Composite Nanofibers Produced By Hybrid-Spinning of Polyacrylonitrile Precursor As Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers are produced through a novel technique known as Hybrid-Spinning (HS) and used as a precursor for anodes in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). HS is a combination of two fiber-producing technologies: Centrifugal spinning (CS) and Electrospinning (ES). The use of HS for nanofiber production is promising due the limitations of both CS and ES. CS produces a high yield of nanofibers through centrifugal forces but is unable to account for the control of the fiber morphology, which limits the potential of the nanofibers-production through this technology. ES, on the other hand, produces nanofibers through electrical forces, allowing for a high degree of fiber morphology control by alternating the electrical field and process parameters. However, the high cost, safety concerns, and low yield of ES makes it unsuitable for the mass production of nanofibers in industry. Therefore, Hybrid Spinning has a high potential in changing the nanofiber industry by removing the limitations of both ES and FS while also minimizing safety-concerns, cost, and environmental impact. This work documents the morphology and characteristics of PAN nanofibers produced through HS and compares them to nanofibers made through FS and ES. The PAN fibrous mats obtained by HS are then converted into carbon nanofibers by calcination and directly used as free-binder anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical performance of the HS carbon-fiber anodes is then compared with that prepared by ES and CS to determine the viability of HS technology with respect to Lithium-ion battery applications.