Effect of functionalized carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized by solvent-free method performed with 5-aminoisophthalic acid (IPA). Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mixed with functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) were electrospun and characterized. F-MWCNTs/PAN fibers were well oriented and showed improved tensile strength by 100% and tensile modulus by 140% at 1% MWCNTs compared to the control PAN fiber.