An investigation on polyacrylonitrile based electrospun carbon nanofibers

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNF) were produced at different electrospinning solution concentrations. With an increase in concentration, the diameter of PAN nanofibers and diameter reduction during carbonization process increased, whereas extent of reactions decreased due to more difficult diffusion of heat into fibers. Extent of graphitic structure and graphitic crystallite size were larger in fine CNF. Electrical conductivity was also higher in fine nanofibers as a result of increased interconnection between fibers. Fiber rupture in diameters less than optimum, however, led to an intense reduction in electrical conductivity of fibers. Results indicated the importance of identifying optimum concentration for obtaining CNF with desired properties.