STUDIES ON CARBON NANOTUBE AND GRAPHENE OXIDE REINFORCED POLYIMIDE ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBER COMPOSITES

Abstract

v newlineABSTRACT newlineThe latest quest of polymer technologist in the field of polymer nanofibers is to newlinemodify/improve their properties to achieve the desired performance. In the newlinecurrent work, research is aimed at preparing polyimide nanofiber composites by newlinereinforcing the fillers namely carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide using newlineelectrospinning technique. Polyimide was synthesized by a conventional twostage newlinemethod, the poly (amic acid) (PAA) obtained in the first stage was newlinethermally treated up to 300°C in the second stage to obtain the polyimide film by newlinesolution casting. The effect of isopropylidine and ether bridging groups in the newlinepolyimide chain on the mechanical properties of polyimide film was studied. newlinePolyimide nanofiber webs were prepared by electrospinning of PAA solution with newlineand without the reinforcements. newlinePolyimide nanofiber composites were prepared by reinforcing the nano fillers newlinesuch as functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (f-SWCNTs), newlinefunctionalized multi walled carbon nanoubes (f-MWCNTs), and graphene oxide newline(GO) up to 2 wt % of loading in polyimide matrix using electrospinning set up. newlineThe prepared nanofiber composites were characterized using Fourier Transform newlineInfrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray diffractometer, X-Ray newlinephotoelectron spectroscopy, Scanning electron spectroscopy, Transmission newlineelectron microscopy, Atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, newlinedynamic mechanical analysis, Universal testing machine, and Four-probe newlineelectrical conductometer. newlineThe improvement in thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of PI newlinenanofiber webs due to the reinforcements was achieved even at lower loading newlinelevel. The carbonization of polyimide/f-MWCNTs nanofiber composites was newlinecarried out at 1000°C temperature. The electrical conductivity increased newlinesignificantly for carbonized PI/CNTs nanofiber compared to neat PI nanofiber. newline