Flexible titanium carbide–carbon nanofibers with high modulus and high conductivity by electrospinning

•Titanium carbide–carbon nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning.•High modulus (446 GPa) of single titanium carbide–carbon nanofiber.•High conductivity (25 S/cm) of titanium carbide–carbon nanofiber felt.•High flexibility with 200 bending cycles.•Conductivity remains 96% and 92% after 60 and 100 bending cycles, respectively.

Titanium carbides are well-known for their outstanding mechanical and thermal stabilities. However, the studies on the mechanical properties and the conductivity of titanium carbide–carbon nanofibers (TiC/CNF) are missing. This work prepared TiC/CNF by electrospinning and highlighted the high modulus of single TiC/CNF, the flexibility and the excellent electrical conductivity of TiC/CNF felt even under 100 bending cycles. This flexible TiC/CNF felt with distinguished mechanical and electrical properties are promising to apply in titanium matrix composites (TMC), efficient catalyst scaffolds and electronic devices.

Graphical abstractTitanium carbide–carbon nanofibers with high modulus and high conductivity were successfully fabricated by electrospinning.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide