Study on the synthesis and properties of hierarchically structured electrospun/vapour-grown carbon nanofibres nanocomposites

Abstract

Herein, we present an extensive analysis of the effect of the initial concentration of iron acetylacetonate(III) (Fe(Acac)3), serving as the catalyst for the growth of carbon nanostructures from the gas phase, on the properties and processes occurring during the synthesis of hierarchically structured electrospun/vapour-grown carbon nanofibres nanocomposites. The examined materials contained from 0 to 4.5% of Fe(Acac)3 and were analysed at various stages of the synthesis. The conducted study revealed empirical formulas correlating the Fe(Acac)3 content with the viscosity of the precursor solutions and the resulting diameters of electrospun carbon nanofibres (eCNF). The concentration of the catalyst exerted a strong impact on the morphology and density of nanoprotrusions on the surface of eCNF. The presence of the grown nanostructures caused an increase in the degree of structural ordering of the nanocomposites. Obtained results suggest also the catalytic effect of Fe(Acac)3 on the cyclisation/oxidation of polyacrylonitrile and proved the hypothesis that the presence of this compound significantly affects the course of the thermal conversion of polyacrylonitrile into the carbon. Evaluation of the wettability revealed the superhydrophobic-superoleophilic character of the nanocomposites and showed that contact angles can be easily controlled by the appropriate selection of initial concentration of Fe(Acac)3.