Fabrication and Stabilization of Poly(Acrylonitrile-сo-Methyl Acrylate) Nanofibers

Abstract

In present study, poly (acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning method and stabilized at elevated temperature in air. Electrospinning processing parameters i.e. solution concentration, solution flow rate and applied voltage were optimized. Fiber morphology and polydispersity index of fiber size was assessed from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Selected nanofiber was then used to study effect of stabilization time and stabilization temperature on fiber morphology, change in chemical structure and aromatization index (AI) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. SEM images showed drastic morphological change of stabilized fibers compared to the as spun precursor. AI value increased as stabilization time and temperature increased and reaching maximum value of 98%. This indicated high cyclization of the aromatic ring in fiber structure. Current finding is critical for carbonization process and preparation of carbon nanofibers from PAN copolymer in the future.