Synthesis and characterization of electrospun PAN/2D MoS2 composite nanofibers

•The ultrafine PAN/2D MoS2 composite nanofibers are fabricated by electrospinning.•The composite nanofibers show the rough surface by a high loading 2D MoS2.•The crystallinity of nanofibers is reduced with increasing the content of MoS2.•The composite nanofibers exhibit an enhanced thermal stability.•The 2D MoS2 nanosheets are uniformly distributed inside the PAN matrix.

Ultrafine polyacrylonitrile/MoS2 (PM) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning. A homogeneous dispersion of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets in polymer solution is crucial to obtain a uniform distribution of nanofillers inside polymer matrices of nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images of PM revealed that the rough surface morphology resulted from the content of MoS2. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the reduced crystallinity of PM composite nanofibers. In contrast, the thermal properties of PM nanofibers improved, as confirmed by thermal analyses. These results indicate that the nanofiber morphology and crystallinity of PM nanofibers are significantly affected by the content of MoS2, while their thermal properties are improved by the uniform distribution of 2D nanofillers.

Graphical abstractThe well-aligned electrospun PM nanofibers exhibit roughness surface and enhanced thermal stability by loading 2D MoS2 on and beneath surface of PAN matrix.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide