Conversion of Electrospun Polyarylonitrile (PAN) into carbon fibres

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer is one of the most often utilised precursors for the synthesis of carbon fibres. In this work, PAN was electrospun prior to stabilisation at 280⁰C and carbonisation at 1200⁰C. The carbonisation process has successfully converted the electrospun PAN into carbon fibres with approximately similar diameter produced. The ATR-FTIR spectrum shows the as-received and as-spun PAN have a similar chemical structure showing all the solvent has completely vaporised. The conversion of electrospun PAN into carbon fibres are evident from the ATR-FTIR spectrum and XRD peak. There is no apparent peak in the ATR-FTIR spectrum due to the absorbing nature of black carbon, but the XRD data reveals two diffraction peaks at scattering angles of 25o and 44o, which are identical to those previously described for graphitic structures. The conductivity of the carbonised electrospun PAN was found to be 14.2 ± 0.04 Scm-1 which is in agreement with findings from others. This indicates that the carbonisation parameter used in this study is sufficient to synthesize a carbon fibre with a moderate conductivity level which is suitable to be used as electrical conductors or in semiconductor applications.