Preparation and characterization of polymericarbon nanotube composite nanoparticles and nanofibers through electrospinning

Electrospinning is a simple and effective technique to produce nanoparticles and nanofibers, including aligned nanofibers and crossbar structures with diameters ranging from micrometers to few a nanometers. These nanofibers could have different applications for different disiplines such as biomedical engineering, membrane separation, protective clothing, and sensors. In this study, we have demonstrated a fabrication technique for polymer/CNT composite nanoparticles and nanofiber mats for environmental applications using electrospinning technique. Characterization of the nano-composites was performed via Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical measurement.. TEM images and XRD data display the CNT to be well incorporated along the nanofibers. The introduction of CNT results in improvement in thermal stability and tensile strength of the PULL matrix.