Preparation and structures of electrospun PAN nanofibers as a precursor of carbon nanofibers

摘要

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers as a precursor of carbon nanofibers with diameters in the range of 130-280 nm were obtained by elec-trospinning of PAN/DMF solution. Morphologies and structures of PAN precursors were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). infrared spectrometer (IR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Distribution of diameters of PAN precursor showed log normal distribution. Molecular chains were oriented within the electrospun fibers during the electrospinning process. The cyclization exothermic peak shifted to lower temperature for electrospun nanofibers, which suggested that cyclization was more easily initiated ai lower temperature for electrospun nanofibers.