Fabrication of MWNTs/nylon conductive composite nanofibers by electrospinning

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2006-11, Vol.15 (11), p.1839-1843
• Main Authors: Jeong, J.S., Jeon, S.Y., Lee, T.Y., Park, J.H., Shin, J.H., Alegaonkar, P.S., Berdinsky, A.S., Yoo, J.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composite; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Electronic transport phenomena in thin films and low-dimensional structures; Electrospinning; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; MWNT; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotubes; Nylon; Physics
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2006.08.026

MWNT/nylon 6, 6 composite nanofibers were fabricated using an electrospinning method, and the electrical properties were examined as a function of the filler concentration. Initially, the pristine, purified MWNTs were treated with a 3:1 mixture of concentrated H 2SO 4/HNO 3 to introduce carboxyl groups onto the MWNT surface. The carboxylated MWNTs were then treated with thionyl chloride and an ethylenediamine solution for amide functionalization. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to examine the functionalization of the MWNTs. Nylon 6, 6 is readily soluble in formic acid. Therefore, the amide functionalized MWNTs were dispersed in formic acid. The solution remained stable and uniform for more than 40 h. –NH 2 termination of the MWNTs improved the dispersion stability of the MWNTs in formic acid. The MWNTs-suspended in a solution of nylon 6, 6 in formic acid was electrospun to obtain the nanofibers. The electrical properties of the nanofibers were examined as a function of the filler concentration. The results showed that the I– V properties of the nanofiber sheet improved with increasing filler concentration.