Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Carbon Nanofibers

PAN and N, DMF based CNFs were prepared by using a home-made electrospinning technique. The fibers were having a minimum average diameter of 385 nm as a result of heat treatments given to the fabricated fibers. The stirring time given to the solution greatly affected the formation of the fiber. The environmental effects such as humidity and temperature greatly affected the stirring of the solution and also the fabrication of the fibers. The XRD analysis of the carbon fibers were observed. Their effect of heat treatments on the crystallinity of the fibers was noticed and the crystallinity was enhanced for CNFs that were heat-treated at 500oC. The heat treatments given to the fibers changed the shape and morphology of the fibers, which was clearly observed through SEM analysis. The elemental analysis using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy revealed the presence of carbon as a major element having a percentage of more than 80% in the carbon fibers, verifying the carbonization of the fibers. High-quality nanofibers can be fabricated by electrospinning technique. These nanofibers may be used for various potential applications like energy storage devices and tissue engineering.