Electrospinning: A Practical Approach to Nanofibers

Electrospinning is a method of producing polymer fibers with diameters in the sub-micron to nanometer ranges by applying high electrostatic field. In this work PAN nanofibers are produce by electrospinning of PAN copolymer solution of different concentration ranging from 3 to 10wt%. The diameter of electrospun PAN fibers is monitored as a function controlling parameter tip to collector distance, the drum collector speed, flow rate of solution and applied voltage.The PAN nanofibers of diameter 75-1500nm have been electrospun. Electrospun fibers have been characterized by SEM,XRD,TGA & DSC and SPM.In second part, the electrospun PAN fiber mats are stabilized by oxidative reaction at 300-320°C and then carbonized at 1000°C to obtain carbon nanofibers film which can be used in various applications. These are characterized Different methods.In third part of the study MWCNTs are synthesized by catalytic CVD method. The MWNTs are functionalized with functional groups -COOH and -OH. The MWNTs are dispersed in PAN solution and later electrospun to get aligned MWNTs in the form of PAN-CNT composite nanofibers.