Preparation and characterization of multi‐walled carbon nanotube/poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanoweb

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/ Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanowebs were obtained by electrospinning. For uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in PET solution, MWCNTs were functionalized by acid treatment. Introduction of carboxyl groups onto the surface of MWCNTs was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. MWCNTs were added into 22 wt % PET solution in the ratio of 1, 2, 3 wt % to PET. The morphology of MWCNT/PET nanoweb was observed using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanofiber diameter decreased with increasing MWCNT concentration. The distribution of the nanofiber diameters showed a bi-modal shape when MWCNTs were added. Thermal and tensile properties of electrospun MWCNT/PET nanowebs were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and etc. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, thermal stability, and the degree of crystallinity increased with increasing MWCNT concentration. In contrast, elongation at break and cold crystallization temperature showed a contrary tendency. Electric conductivities of the MWCNT/PET nanowebs were in the electrostatic dissipation range.

A Review on Less-common Nanostructures

“…[261] Nanoweb porous structures are mainly polymeric [262] and are applied in filters, [263−265] fibers, [266] and various composites, [267,268] in particular those containing carbon nanotubes. [269] Nanocarpets are also mainly polymeric, [270] sometimes composed of carbon nanotubes (Figure 47), and used for trapping spores, particulates and bacteria. [271] Nanocombs are generally represented by ZnO [272] (applied as biosensor for glucose detection [273] ).…”

Insight into the Broad Field of Polymer Nanocomposites: From Carbon Nanotubes to Clay Nanoplatelets, via Metal Nanoparticles

“…Mechanical properties, like tensile strength and modulus, and thermal stability of the resultant nanowebs, as well as the degree of PET crystallinity, were found to increase as a result of an elevated filler loading. Opposite trends were observed for properties like crystallization temperature and elongation at break [35]. Moreover, Chen et al investigated the chain confinement in electrospun PET/MWCNT nanofibers [38].…”

Fundamental study of crystallization, orientation, and electrical conductivity of electrospun PET/carbon nanotube nanofibers

“…In 2008, Ahn et al investigated the properties of PET/MWCNT nanocomposite nanofibers for the first time. 26 They improved the dispersion of 3% w/w or less MWCNT suspensions by an acid treatment on the nanotubes to increase the amount of chemical groups at their surface. Morphology, physical, and mechanical properties of the resulting nanofibers were studied; however, the electrical conductivity did not improve significantly.…”

“…Morphology, physical, and mechanical properties of the resulting nanofibers were studied; however, the electrical conductivity did not improve significantly. 26 In the most recent work available on PET/MWCNT nanocomposite nanofibers, the molecular conformation structure and chain orientation of PET in nanocomposite nanofibers after electrospinning has been studied by Chen et al 27 They investigated the effect of MWCNT addition on PET chain confinement at different concentrations, up to 2 wt % MWCNT, by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and FTIR techniques. They mainly studied the crystallinity and morphology of PET fibers with and without MWCNT.…”