Preparation, morphology and conductivity of polyacrylonitrile/multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite nanofibers

Abstract

Composite nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PAN/MWCNTs) were prepared via electrospinning. Samples contained 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 3.5 wt% of MWCNTs. The viscosity and electrical conductivity of electrospinning solutions were measured. Results revealed that, with the addition of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, viscosity was increased and electrical conductivity was improved. Rheological behavior was studied using two different viscometers. Moreover, morphology and diameters of the composite nanofibers were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanofiber diameter distributions were presented. SEM micrographs showed that by adding MWCNTs, the average diameter of nanofibers was increased. Furthermore, the effect of MWCNTs on glass transition temperature, T g, was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The results showed that T g was increased with the addition of MWCNTs. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that MWCNTs can affect the orientation ability of polymer chains. The effects of adding salt, increasing voltage and changing the tip-to-collector distance on the morphology and diameters of composite nanofibers were examined. The electrical conductivity results of electrospun mats were measured by a two-probe method. Electrical conductivity was increased by addition of MWCNTs and its behavior followed the percolation theory. Finally, it was observed that mats with smaller diameters have higher electrical conductivity.