Fabrication of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polypropylene Conductive Fibrous Membranes by Melt Electrospinning

Abstract

A novel multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypropylene (CNT/PP) conductive fibrous membrane with fiber diameter of 1–3 μm was fabricated by melt electrospinning. To improve the dispersibility of CNT and enhance the spinnability of PP fibers, CNTs were first mixed with small amounts of paraffin liquid (PL) and then melt-blended with PP for melt electrospinning. The morphology of fibrous membranes and the orientation of CNTs in PP fibers were observed via scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The effect of PL and CNTs on crystallization behavior of PP was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Tensile test and impedance analysis were performed to investigate the mechanical and electrical properties of the fibrous membranes. The results indicated that CNT has a distinct nucleating effect on PP, and the addition of PL can improve the spinnability of the CNT/PP compound remarkably. This novel conductive fibrous membrane fabricated by melt electrospinning exhibits improved tensile strength and modulus, good electric conductivity, and enhanced dielectric constant and hydrophobicity.