High Throughput Centrifugal Electrospinning of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers for Carbon Fiber Nonwovens.

Andreas Hoffmann,Alexander J C Kuehne

doi:10.3390/polym13081313

Andreas Hoffmann, Alexander J C Kuehne

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13081313

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Abstract

Carbon nanofiber nonwovens are promising materials for electrode or filtration applications; however, their utilization is obviated by a lack of high throughput production methods. In this study, we utilize a highly effective high-throughput method for the fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers as a nonwoven on a dedicated substrate. The method employs rotational-, air pressure- and electrostatic forces to produce fibers from the inner edge of a rotating bell towards a flat collector. We investigate the impact of all above-mentioned forces on the fiber diameter, morphology, and bundling of the carbon-precursor PAN fibers. The interplay of radial forces with collector-facing forces has an influence on the uniformity of fiber deposition. Finally, the obtained PAN nanofibers are converted to carbon nonwovens by thermal treatment.

Highlights

Carbon nanofiber nonwovens (CFNs) are a promising class of materials with versatile properties for the wider field of energy applications
Carbon nanofiber nonwovens are promising materials for electrode or filtration applications; their utilization is obviated by a lack of high throughput production methods
We investigate the impact of all above-mentioned forces on the fiber diameter, morphology, and bundling of the carbon-precursor PAN fibers

Summary

Introduction

Carbon nanofiber nonwovens (CFNs) are a promising class of materials with versatile properties for the wider field of energy applications. A small set of water soluble polymers have been spun into nanofibers using centrifugal electrospinning, among them polylactic acid, polyethylene oxide and spider silk [27,28] While these results are very promising, the influence of the different forces on centrifugal electrospinning of PAN from high boiling solvents is not fully understood, leading to an ill-defined parameter space, which can entail wet fiber deposition, nonwovens with large variation in thickness, bundling of fibers, and polydisperse fiber diameters. These problems have prevented the application of centrifugal electrospinning in the production of carbon fiber nonwovens to date. The parameters will help to transition this technique into commercial applications, with potential for continuous fabrication of carbon nanofiber nonwovens

Influence of All Processing Forces on the Fiber Diameter

Fiber Homogeneity within the Nonwoven

Thermal Treatment for Carbon Nanofiber Nonwovens

Conclusions