A novel 3-D graphite structure from thermally stabilized electrospun MWCNTs/PAN nanofibril composite fabrics

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nanofibers are characterized by their high surface energy. In this paper, such a cohesive energy was activated by using hot-pressing technique to build strong and flexible MWCNTs/carbon nanofibril hybrid fabrics. MWCNTs of three different diameters, and each w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2014-02, Vol.70 (9-12), p.1731-1738
Main Author: Ali, Ashraf A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activated carbon
CAE) and Design
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD
Electrospinning
Engineering
Fabrics
Graphite
Graphitization
Heat treatment
Industrial and Production Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Media Management
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanofibers
Original Article
Polyacrylonitrile
Static pressure
Surface energy
Three dimensional composites
Tube furnaces
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Summary:Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nanofibers are characterized by their high surface energy. In this paper, such a cohesive energy was activated by using hot-pressing technique to build strong and flexible MWCNTs/carbon nanofibril hybrid fabrics. MWCNTs of three different diameters, and each with five different weight concentrations, were dispersed in 10 wt% polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/DMF polymer solution. PAN/DMF + MWCNT dispersions were electrospun under optimum electrospinning conditions, and the collected fabrics were thermally stabilized under a static pressure. They were then re-heat-treated in a tube furnace with a nitrogen flow. Strength of 70 MPa, modulus of 4 GP, and strain of 5 % were reported for the fabrics. Modulus of 100 GPa was reported for a single nanofibril composite. A novel 3-D graphite structure has been discovered as a result of the interaction between MWCNTs and stabilized PAN nanofibers during graphitization at much lower temperature and pressure. Fabrics were investigated by using SEM, HRTEM, AFM, and x-ray diffraction.
ISSN:0268-3768
1433-3015
DOI:10.1007/s00170-013-5454-3