Fabrication of MWCNT/Cu nanofibers via electrospinning method and analysis of their electrical conductivity by four-probe method

Abstract

The objectives of the present study are (i) fabrication of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/Cu composites via electrospinning method, better dispersion, and heat treatment; and (ii) to examine the effect of the heat treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the electrospun fibers. In this study, we have fabricated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based MWCNT/Cu carbon nanofiber composites by electrospinning method with different weight percentage of CNT (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%). The MWCNT/Cu composites were aligned in an electrified thin jet during electrospinning. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy was used to analyze the morphology of the as-prepared carbon nanofibers. The elemental analyses of fibers were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Powder Diffraction and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical strength were performed to study the thermal and mechanical properties of the nanofibers composites. Electrical conductivity of the as-prepared fibers was studied by four-point probe method. For the composites containing 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5 wt% of MWCNT, the electrical conductivity was measured to be 0.021, 0.459, 1.155, 1.479 S cm−1 respectively.