Fabrication and characterization of conducting polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers

Conducting polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers with diameters ranging from 100 nm to 300 nm were fabricated by an electrospinning method from spinning dopes of the dissolved PVA polymer in aqueous dispersion of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Using a chemical cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde (GA), water insoluble conducting PVA nanofibers were obtained through an in-situ crosslinking of PVA polymer during electrospinning. The cross-linked conducting nanofibers maintained fiber morphology after a soaking in water and exhibited high conductivity (4-8 S m(-1)). To create PVA nanofibers that were both conducting and had a persistent negative surface charge, Poly(methyl vinyl ether-altmaleic anhydride) (PVMA) polymer was added to the spinning dope. Organic conducting PVA nanofibers with or without negatively charged surfaces will potentionally be used to create highly sensitive, real-time electrically based sensors for biological and chemical species and for radiation detection. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.