Electrospinning of polymer nanofibers loaded with noncovalently functionalized graphene |
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| Authors: | Sriya Das Ahmed S. Wajid Sanjoy K. Bhattacharia Michael D. Wilting Iris V. Rivero Micah J. Green |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409;2. Department of Industrial Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409;3. Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 |
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| Abstract: | Pristine graphene/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone‐stabilized graphene and PVA. This is the first report of electrospun nanofibers reinforced with dispersed pristine graphene. We examine the relationship between graphene loading and critical electrospinning parameters. Microscopy indicates uniform fiber formation and excellent graphene dispersion within the fiber. Rheological data indicates that the excellent level of graphene dispersion enhances the modulus of the polymer by 205%. We also find that the graphene significantly increases the fibers' thermal stability (increase of 15°C) and crystallinity (59% increase) above the baseline. In fact, the graphene may act as nucleating points for increased crystallinity. These graphene/polymer nanofibers have the potential to serve in a variety of applications, including electrodes, conductive wires, and biomedical materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013 |
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| Keywords: | electrospinning fibers composites colloids |
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