Desai K., Sung C.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US
Keywords: electrospinning, nanofibers, polyaniline
Electrospinning is a process by which sub-micron polymer fibers can be produced using an electrostatically driven jet of polymer solution. The fibers are collected as a non-woven mat or membrane with high surface area to volume ratio. Electrically conducting organic polymers are a novel class of synthetic metals that combine the chemical and mechanical properties of polymers with the electronic properties of metals and semiconductors. Polyaniline is a organic metal which is totally unmoldable and insoluble in most organic solvents. In this present study we have electrospun blends of polyaniline and poly methyl methacrylate at various blend ratios to form nanofibers. We have studied the fiber formation in terms of the fiber morphology and size using scanning electron microscopy. We have optimized the electrospinning process parameters for nanofiber formation using design of experiments. We have also studied the phase distribution in the formed fibers using transmission electron microscopy staining technique and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2004 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: March 7, 2004
Pages: 429 - 432
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Modeling & Simulation of Microsystems
ISBN: 0-9728422-9-2