A statistical approach to evaluate the oxidative process of electrospun polyacrylonitrile ultrathin fibers

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2017-11, Vol.134 (43), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Santos de Oliveira Junior, Mauro, Manzolli Rodrigues, Bruno Vinícius, Marcuzzo, Jossano Saldanha, Guerrini, Lília Müller, Baldan, Maurício Ribeiro, Rezende, Mirabel Cerqueira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Band spectra; Chemical reactions; Design of experiments; Differential scanning calorimetry; Electrospinning; Enthalpy; Exothermic reactions; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Heat measurement; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Materials science; Mats; nanostructured polymers; Oxidation; Performance indices; Photoelectron spectroscopy; Polymers; Spectroscopic analysis; Spectrum analysis; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; synthesis and processing techniques; thermal properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; Weight loss; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.45458

ABSTRACT A systematic study using design of experiments was applied in order to map out the thermal stabilization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile mats and to investigate how oxidation and cyclization reactions are affected by rate, temperature, and time in an oxidative environment. Cyclization indexes were estimated by a simple methodology based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data. Values of enthalpy and relative intensities of bands assigned to CN and CN bonds were used on calculation. The statistical planning applied in this study was important to show that not always longest treatment is effective to stabilize polyacrylonitrile, but also samples obtained in less than 3 h presented low values of exothermic peak on DSC, values of cyclization indexes near to 90%, both from DSC and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, reduced weight loss in thermogravimetric analysis and O/C ratio higher than 10% by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, that are appreciated characteristics to a precursor of high‐performance carbon materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45458.