Effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the morphology and optical properties of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers

Electrospinning is an established method to fabricate polymer nanofibers. It is widely investigated due to a great interest in nanotechnology science. The aim of this research was to study the fibers morphology of the nanocomposite Polyvinyl pyrrolidone/Poly (vinyl alcohol)/ Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/MultiWall carbon nanotubes (PVP/PVA/SDS/MWCNT) product via the electrospinning and the effect of MWCNT concentration on the fibers properties. However, in order to produce MWCNT-polymer nanofibers with high properties, it is necessary to have a uniform dispersion of MWCNT that tend to self associate into micro-scale. It is one of major problems to solve. In our study the dispersion of MWCNT in aqueous solution has been monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy. Changing the surfactant and PVP concentration reveals that the maximum dispersion achievable is corresponding to an adequate concentration. In addition, Infrared spectroscopy was used to elucidate the interaction between PVP, PVA and MWCNT.