Mechanical properties of electrospun PVA/MWNTs composite nanofibers

Composites of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by electrospinning. A PVA/MWNTs solution was electrostatically spun to form filler wrapped nanofibers, with a diameter of ∼ 100-200 nm. As the concentration of filler in the composite was varied, the coloration of the fiber sheets changed. The SEM and TEM analyses of the fiber sheets revealed that the deformation of the fiber increases with increasing nanotube concentration. The mechanical properties were studied using a universal testing machine (UTM). The analysis is presented in detail. It is argued that the degree of dispersivity orientation and anisotropy of the nanotubes and the amount of interfacial stress in the filler/polymer are the predominant factors determining the variation in the tensile properties of the composites with the filler concentration.