Preparation of Carbon Nanofibers from Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers by Electrospinning

Abstract

Ultrafine fibers were electrospun from polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution as a precursor of carbon nanofibers. The effects of solution concentration, applied voltage and flow rate on preparation and morphologies of electrospun PAN fibers were investigated. Morphologies of the green fibers, stabilized fibers and carbonized fibers were compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The diameter of PAN nanofibers is about 450nm and the distribution of diameter is well-proportioned. Characterization of the elements changes of fibers were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).