Role of polystyrene/multiwall carbon nanotubes concentrations on the morphological properties of prepared nanofibers nanocomposites

Abstract

The electrospinning technique was used to prepare nanofibers samples consisting of three groups, each group has a different polystyrene concentration (12, 14, 16 wt.%). Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were added to each group with four ratios to yield four samples comprising (polystyrene/MWCNT) constituents. The UV-Visible test was carried out to know how uniformly nanofibers and Mutli-walled carbon nanotubes were distributed in the polymeric nanofibers and their effect on the final nanofiber’s properties through the absorption peaks. The morphological test used “Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope”. The results showed that; MWCNTS has a dominant effect on prepared nanofibers in the (12 wt.% Polystyrene) group, and both (PS, MWCNT) have a shared effect, highest steady absorption curves, and uniformly scattered radiation at (14 wt.% PS) group, and random results at (16 wt.% PS) group. From FESEM results we notice that increasing polymer concentration causes an increase in the nanofiber’s diameter and beads formation chance increases at (12,16 wt.% PS) groups. In the group of (14 wt.% Polystyrene), it produces nanofibers with free beads and uniform distribution, the addition of MWCNT lowers the diameter of nanofibers much more and enhances the orientation, and improves their UV absorption, strength, and mechanical properties.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• PS
• MWCNT
• UV
• electrospinning
• morphology

Acknowledgment

We want to thank our department staff for their assistance in performing our work in their labs and our college for their responsibilities in giving permission and their collaboration to get this work done properly.