Abstracto

Effect of polymer concentration on morphology of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

R.Sandhya, P.K.Panda

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning homogeneous viscous solutions of PAN in DMF of concentrations 9%, 12% and 16%(by wt.). The electrospinning was carried out at 9kV DC with tip to collector distance (TCD) of 7cm. The morphology of nanofiber webs characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicates smooth and cylindrical nature of fibers with aspect ratio >1000. The fiber diameter was found in the range of 50-320 nm and the average fiber diameter increases linearly with PAN concentration. The morphology of nanofibers was good for higher PAN concentration while some beaded or swollen structures were present in fibers prepared at low PAN concentration.