Nanostructure and Surface Characteristic of Electrospun Carbon Black/PVDF Copolymer Nanocomposite

Abstract

Carbon black/PVDF copolymer (CB/PVDF copolymer) nanofiber composite has been synthesized by electrospinning process. Nanostructure and surface property of CB/PVDF copolymer were studied by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and water contact angle (WCA). Nanofiber composite has smooth surface morphology without bead on nanofiber string. Increase of CB content in nanofiber composite decreased diameter of nanofiber size. Range of average nanofiber diameter was from 405.2 and 421.3 nm where it depended on CB content in nanofiber composite. FTIR and XRD analysis showed that structure of PVDF copolymer in nanofiber composite had a dominant β phase crystal structure. The β phase was showed and confirmed by vibration band peak at 838.55 cm-1 of IR spectrum and 2θ = 20.44° of XRD. Presence of CB in nanofiber composite also influenced WCA and water spreading on nanofiber composite. WCA of pristine PVDF copolymer, CB/PVDF copolymer nanofiber with 1% CB, and CB/PVDF copolymer with 5% CB were 113.8, 105.2, 117.3°. From this result showed that nanostructure and surface characteristic can be adjusted and controlled by presence of CB in nanofiber composite. This result has potential application for air filtration to solve air pollution issued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]