Preparation of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers by electrospinning and their capacitance characteristics

In this work, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber was prepared by electrospinning methods from dimethyl formamide solutions with various conditions, such as 8∼20 kV applied voltage, 5 -15 wt% PAN concentration, and 15 cm tip-to-collector distance (TCD). The nanoflbers were stabilized by oxidation at 250 °C for 1 h, and then subsequently carbonized at 800 ∼ 1000 °C for 1 h. The structured characteristics of the nanoflbers before and after carbonization were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, The resulting diameter distribution and morphologies of the nanofiber were evaluated by scanning electron microscope analysis. The electrochemical behaviors of the nanofiber were observed by cyclic voltammetry tests. From the results, the diameter of electrospinning nanofibers was predominantly influenced by the concentration of polymer solution and the applied voltage. The average diameter of the fibers was decreased with increasing the polymer concentration up to 10 wt%. It was also found that the nanofibers with uniform diameter distribution and fine diameter could be achieved at 15 kV input voltage and 15 cm TCD.