Graphene-embedded electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers with enhanced thermo-mechanical properties

Nanofibers have gained significant consideration due to their unique structural properties and applicability in a wide range of sectors. This study aimed to develop polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/graphene co-electrospun nanofibers at different nanofiller loadings. The electrospinning conditions were prior optimized for potential difference, dope solution feed rate, and needle-collector distance to get bead-free electrospun fibers. The prepared composite nanofibers were characterized using various instrumental techniques. The results demonstrated that prepared composite electrospun were hydrophilic (water contact angle-WCA-7.9 degrees) as compared to control PAN nanofibers (WCA: 135.9 degrees). The nanofibers diameter of control PAN (611 nm) decreased to 515 nm after graphene loading under the same electrospinning conditions. The tensile strength of the control PAN fibers (2.95 MPa) increased to 4.37 MPa, whereas the respective elongation at the break decreased from 96 to 44%. The FTIR analysis expressed a strong bonding of cyanide functional groups in the PAN with the polar groups at the graphene nanoplates in the composite electrospun fibers. The finding of the study is the successful development of PAN/graphene composite electrospun nanofibers with tuned thermomechanical properties.