Effects of pH on electrospun PVA/acid-treated MWNT composite nanofibers

In this work, we studied the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) concentration and pH on the morphologies, microstructures and mechanical properties of the resultant poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/MWNT composite nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technique. The PVA solution dissolved in distilled water was blended with various acid-treated MWNTs concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 wt%, and then electrospun to produce PVA/acid-treated MWNT composite nanofibers. The PVA/acid-treated MWNT nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and tensile testing. SEM analysis demonstrated that the PVA/MWNT nanofibers with acid-treated MWNTs of 1.0 wt% gave rather smaller diameter and narrower distribution, suggesting well-distribution of the MWNTs onto the PVA nanofiber matrix, as also confirmed by TEM analysis. In addition, it was observed that the PVA/acid-treated MWNT (MWNT concentration ∼1.0 wt%) nanofibers at higher pH gave lower diameter than those at lower pH, due to a decreased molecular interaction between PVA and acid-treated CNTs, and thereby results in a decreased viscosity and their diameters. Moreover, the resultant nanofibers at lower pH have better mechanical properties than those at higher pH.

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► Poly (vinyl alcohol)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite nanofibers.
► pH effects on the morphologies, microstructures and mechanical properties.
► Controlling the molecular interactions between PVA and acid-treated MWNTs.
► It is important for understanding the mechanism of enhanced mechanical properties.