Gel-spun carbon nanotubes/polyacrylonitrile composite fibers. Part I: Effect of carbon nanotubes on stabilization

Addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers significantly improves the mechanical properties of the resulting carbon fibers. This study focuses on the effect of different types of CNTs on chemical, mechanical and structural changes during the stabilization of gel-spun CNT/PAN composite fibers. Among the different types of CNTs, it was observed that CNTs containing more walls had lower reinforcement efficiency than CNTs containing fewer walls. Similarly CNTs containing fewer walls exhibited higher orientation of the ladder polymer and greater effect on the formation of beta-amino nitrile in the stabilized fibers. Wide angle X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the optimum stabilization time. Additionally, it was found that the higher tension applied during stabilization improved the properties of the stabilized fibers, and the addition of CNTs increased the maximum tension that the fiber can bear. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.