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Electrospinning and post-drawn processing effects on the molecular organization and mechanical properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2019

David A. Brennan ,
Khosro Shirvani ,
Cailyn D. Rhoads ,
Samuel E. Lofland  and
Vince Z. Beachley Open the ORCID record for Vince Z. Beachley [Opens in a new window]
David A. Brennan
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Khosro Shirvani
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Cailyn D. Rhoads
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Samuel E. Lofland
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Vince Z. Beachley*
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
*
Address all correspondence to Vince Z. Beachley at beachley@rowan.edu
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Abstract

This paper reports the molecular organization and mechanical properties of electrospun, post-drawn polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. Without post-drawing, the polymer chain was kinked and oriented in hexagonal crystalline structures. Immediate post-drawing in the semi-solid state disrupted the crystal structures and chain kink at maximum draw ratio. Structural re-orientation at maximum draw resulted in a 500% increase in Young's modulus and a 100% increase in ultimate tensile strength. By applying post-drawing to electrospinning it may be possible to obtain PAN fibers and PAN-derived carbon fibers with enhanced mechanical properties compared to available fabrication technologies.

Type
Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , June 2019 , pp. 764 - 772
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2019 

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