Investigation of the Morphological Structure of Needle-Free Electrospun Magnetic Nanofiber Mats

Abstract

Electrospun magnetic nanofibers are promising for a variety of applications in biomedicine, energy storage, filtration or spintronics. The surface morphology of nanofiber mats plays an important role for defined application areas. In addition, the distribution of magnetic particles in nanofibers exerts an influence on the final properties of nanofiber mats. A simple method for the production of magnetic nanofiber mats by the addition of magnetic nanoparticles in an electrospinning polymer solution was used in this study. In this work, magnetic nanofibers (MNFs) were prepared by needle-free electrospinning technique from poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) in the low-toxic solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 20 wt% Fe3O4 at different parameter conditions such as PAN concentration, voltage and ultrasonic bath. The distribution of nanoparticles in the fiber matrix was investigated as well as the chemical and morphological properties of the resulting magnetic nanofibers. In addition, the surface morphology of magnetic nanofiber mats was studied by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared microscope (FTIR) and ImageJ software, and distribution of Fe3O4 particles in the matrix was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers and Their Applications in Several Areas

“… 4 Needleless electrospinning emerged as an option to overcome the challenge. Mamun et al 87 successfully prepared magnetic nanofibers (MNFs) using a needle-free electrospinning setup and a low-toxicity solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide. The magnetism originated from adding iron(II,III) oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) particles to the PAN precursor.…”

A Recent Review of Electrospun Porous Carbon Nanofiber Mats for Energy Storage and Generation Applications

“…The materials used in this process can include various components such as ceramics, metallic nanoparticles, particles, carbon nanotubes, and other similar materials. It has gained popularity due to its relative simplicity and effectiveness in producing nanofibers with large surface area, fine diameters, and controllable morphology [25][26][27]. Basic needle-based electrospinning can be configured vertically or horizontally.…”

Preparation of ternary polyaniline@CuO−zeolite composite, discussion of characteristics, properties and their applications in supercapacitors and cationic dye adsorption

“…16 Nanofibers and nanofiber composites are promising for energy storage and energy applications as well as for a wide range of other applications such as solar cells, medicine, water and air filtration, drug delivery etc., and the surface-to-volume ratio of the nanofibers plays a major role. [17][18][19][20][21][22] A textile-based counter electrode, consisting of PANI coated carbon fabric, with efficacious photovoltaic performance was developed in a study by Motlagh et al for a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell. 23 A high performance CoWO 4 -PANI electrode sample for electrochemical devices and energy storage was developed and investigated in the study by Rajkumar et al 24 Zeolite (ZT) is a tridimensional form of crystalline aluminosilicate and exhibits well-defined micropores and mesopores.…”

“…These nanofiber composites produced a homogeneous distribution on SSCs with an efficient conductivity path for the photoelectrons 16 . Nanofibers and nanofiber composites are promising for energy storage and energy applications as well as for a wide range of other applications such as solar cells, medicine, water and air filtration, drug delivery etc., and the surface‐to‐volume ratio of the nanofibers plays a major role 17–22 . A textile‐based counter electrode, consisting of PANI coated carbon fabric, with efficacious photovoltaic performance was developed in a study by Motlagh et al for a flexible dye‐sensitized solar cell 23 .…”