A statistical approach to evaluate the oxidative process of electrospun polyacrylonitrile ultrathin fibers

Author(s)

de Oliveira Junior, Mauro Santos ; Manzolli Rodrigues, Bruno Vinicius ; Marcuzzo, Jossano Saldanha ; Guerrini, Lilia Muller ; Baldan, Mauricio Ribeiro ; Rezende, Mirabel Cerqueira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Applied Polymer Science; v. 134, n. 43 NOV 15 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

A systematic study using design of experiments was applied in order to map out the thermal stabilization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile mats and to investigate how oxidation and cyclization reactions are affected by rate, temperature, and time in an oxidative environment. Cyclization indexes were estimated by a simple methodology based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data. Values of enthalpy and relative intensities of bands assigned to CN and CN bonds were used on calculation. The statistical planning applied in this study was important to show that not always longest treatment is effective to stabilize polyacrylonitrile, but also samples obtained in less than 3 h presented low values of exothermic peak on DSC, values of cyclization indexes near to 90%, both from DSC and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, reduced weight loss in thermogravimetric analysis and O/C ratio higher than 10% by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, that are appreciated characteristics to a precursor of high-performance carbon materials. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45458. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00560-9 - Characterization of PAN nanofibers obtained by electrospinning process aiming the manufacturing of carbon nanofiber mats
• Grantee: Mauro Santos de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral