Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers from Polyacrylonitrile Solution: Influence of Relative Humidity on Morphology and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Effect of relative humidity (RH) on morphology, fiber diameter distribution and tensile properties of the as-spun, stabilized and carbonized nanofibers has been investigated. The nanofibers are produced from 10% polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in N, Ndimethylformamide (DMF) solution using a homemade electrospinning system. The morphologies of the as-spun nanofibers are varied by changing the relative humidity (RH) from 22% to 60% while keeping all other electrospinning parameters constant. The as-spun nanofibers are subsequently stabilized at 260°C in air for 180 min and carbonized at 1000°C in nitrogen for 60 min. The nanofibers are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) while tensile properties are measured by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). It has been found that the RH affects fiber diameter, surface morphology, and tensile strength significantly of as spun, stabilized and carbonized nanofibers.