Crystallization of PVDF in graphene-filled electrospun PVDF/PMMA nanofibers processed at three different conditions

Abstract

In this study, the morphology and crystal polymorphism of electrospun blend nanocomposite of graphene filled-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers were investigated. The preparation of the nanofibers was carried out by synthesis of PMMA/graphene as a masterbatch through in-situ polymerization, and then followed by compounding with PVDF solution in the different ratios. The process of electrospinning was done at three selective conditions of temperature, moist and ordinary environment. Crystallinity, morphology and thermal properties of nanofibers were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), Transmittance Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric Analyses (TGA), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FE-SEM). The enhancement of β crystal formation in the electrospun graphene-filled blend nanofibers was confirmed by XRD and DSC results. This can be ascribed by the benefits of solution casting, mechanical stretching, high electric field, PMMA interactions and graphene restrictions, altogether in one simple process. Also, presence of water molecules during the electrospinning causes the orientation of fluorine atoms in PVDF due to polar-polar interactions which enhance the polar conformation even in the pure PVDF nanofibers.