Enhanced conductivity of aligned PANi/PEO/MWNT nanofibers by electrospinning

Conducting composite nanofibers were fabricated from a mixture of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and a polyaniline (PANi)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blend using an electrospinning process. We observed a surprising transition in the electrical conductivity of the conducting composite nanofibers while measuring the I–V characteristics of the nanofibers aligned on an electrode when they were exposed to an applied high voltage. We believe that this unexpected transition is closely related to the self-heating of the MWNTs incorporated into the conducting polymer. This type of self-heating method will be very helpful in enhancing the electrical properties of nanoscale conducting composite fibers.