Electrospun Graphene Nanosheet-Filled Poly(Trimethylene Terephthalate) Composite Fibers: Effects of the Graphene Nanosheet Content on Morphologies, Electrical Conductivity, Crystallization Behavior, and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In this study the effects of increased graphene nanosheet (GNS) concentration on variations in the structure and properties of electrospun GNS-filled poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT/GNS) composite fiber, such as its morphologies, crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity, were investigated. The effects of GNS addition on solution rheology and conductivity were also investigated. GNSs were embedded in the fibers and formed protrusions. The PTT cold crystallization rate of PTT/GNS composite fibers increased with the gradual addition of GNSs. A PTT mesomorphic phase was formed during electrospinning, and GNSs could induce the PTT mesomorphic phase significantly during PTT/GNS composite fiber electrospinning. The PTT/GNS composite fiber mats (CFMs) became ductile with the addition of GNSs. The elastic recoveries of the PTT/GNS CFMs with 170 °C annealing were better than those of the as-spun PTT/GNS CFMs. Percolation scaling laws were applied to the magnitude of conductivity to reveal the percolation network of electrospun PTT/GNS CFMs. The electrical conductivity mechanism of the PTT/GNS CFMs differed from that of the PTT/GNS composite films. Results showed that the porous structure of the PTT CFMs influenced the performance of the mats in terms of electrical conductivity.

Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers Filled with Poly[2-(tert-butylaminoethyl) Methacrylate]-Grafted Graphene Oxide Nanosheets

“…Moreover, the d f of PVA/GO-g-PTA-A composite nanofibers initially decreased as the GO-g-PTA-A content increased to 1 wt %, and then gradually increased as the GO-g-PTA-A content increased to 10 wt %. This finding is consistent with our previous electrospun PVA/GNS-H [ 10 ] and PTT/GNS [ 53 ] composite nanofibers. In electrospinning, solution viscosity and conductivity are important factors for determining the d f of electrospun fibers.…”

Graphene impregnated electrospun nanofiber sensing materials: a comprehensive overview on bridging laboratory set-up to industry

“…Recently, incorporating GNMs into ESNF to create electrochemical sensors is gaining a wide consideration from researchers mainly because ES GNMs provide a remarkably improved sensitivity and low detection limit caused by their electrochemical probable space, low charge conformation, well-demarcated redox crests, electrocatalytic properties and electron transfer kinetics [197]. Additionally, GNMs possess other excellent characteristics such as high surface area, low-cost, and mass electron transfer ability [155]. In terms of GNMs NFs biosensors, ESNFs serves as the upholder to GNMs as well as the bioreceptors because they possess no reactive ability and thus, do not involve in the detection and transduction parts.…”

Effect of Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Functionalization and Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT-g-MA) on the Preparation of Antistatic Packages of PTT/CNT Nanocomposites

“…As well as in various polymers, a dissipative character can be attributed to PTT by adding functional fillers (antistatic agents) into the polymeric matrix. These additives may range from metallic particles [19] and intrinsically conductor polymers, such as polyaniline [20] and polypyrrole [21], to different carbon materials as carbon black [6,22], graphene [23], carbon fibers [24,25], glassy carbon [4], and carbon nanotubes (CNT) [26].…”