Composite nanofibres of CuI‐polystyrene via electrospinning through critical control of solvation conditions

Abstract

Composite nanofibres of copper (II) with various polymer matrices have been frequently reported. However, due to the lack of solubility of the Cu(I) moieties, Cu(I) electrospinning has proved more challenging. The objective of this study was to find a route to and prepare nanofibres containing copper iodide. This investigation describes the successful electrospinning of composite nanofibres of copper iodide (CuI) and polystyrene (PS) using a combination of two solvents to provide critical spinning conditions. The electrospinning solution was prepared by combining dimethylformamide (DMF) as the main solvent for PS and triethylamine (TEA) as a cosolvent; this mediates the dissolution of CuI. Electrospinning was accomplished under different parameters such as PS concentration, CuI concentration, and applied voltage. The outcome of the process was colored and smooth nanofibres that underwent analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma ‐ mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The analysis findings emphasized the importance of the electrospinning parameters, specifically the concentration of PS and the applied voltage on successful fiber generation. However with control of these conditions composite nanofibres of CuI‐PS with uniform distribution of nanoscale crystallites of CuI can be successfully produced.