Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon-Iron Oxide-Silica Nanocomposites Fibers

Herein, we report on the synthesis of carbon nanocomposite fibers reinforced with iron oxide and various amount of silica through electrospinning method. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is selected as the carbon precursor. Iron nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₃) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) are used as the precursors of iron oxide and silica, respectively. PAN is dissolved into dimethylformamide (DMF) to serve as the matrix. And fibers are fabricated through electrospinning the mixture of matrix solution and precursors. The desired final nanocomposite fibers are obtained after an additional thermal treatment. The operation parameters are tuned to achieve uniform and bead-free morphology for different samples combining their rheology properties. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to characterize the micro morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Mossbauer spectra and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are applied to determine the composition, metal valence state and thermal stability of the carbon nanocomposite fibers. The magnetic properties, electric conductivity and fluorescent properties of the products will also be discussed from the aspect of the structures.