The production of 100/400 nm inner/outer diameter carbon tubes by solution blowing and carbonization of core-shell nanofibers

Core-shell drops of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) are subjected to a high speed gas jet that results in their stretching and bending. As a result of this enormous elongation, after solvent evaporates, core-shell polymer nanofiber mats are deposited on a screen. Heat treatment allows complete elimination of the core and carbonization of the shell, which yields carbon tubes with an inner diameter 50-150 nm and outer diameter 400-600 nm, and their mats. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.