Enhancing the material properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers through carbon nanotube and carbon nanotube:graphene incorporation

Abstract In this study, a carbon nanotube:multilayer graphene (CNT:G) hybrid nanofiller was constructed and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) based composite nanofibers containing CNT, or CNT:G were electrospun and characterized in order to fabricate thermally conductive polymer nanomats. Particular attention was directed toward investigating the effects of CNT and CNT:G in enhancing thermal stability, thermal conductivity coefficient, and heat dissipation efficiency of the composite nanofibers. The thermal conductivity coefficient of neat rPET nanofibers was found as 12.753 W/mK while it increased to 34.437, 38.713, and 96.957 W/mK with 0.25%, 1%, and 5% of CNT incorporation, respectively. When hybrid nanofillers were used at a loading of 1%, the thermal conductivity coefficients for rPET/CNT:G nanofibers with CNT:G ratios of 1:1 and 1:3 respectively increased to 62.229, and 47.62 W/mK. The heat dissipation efficiency of the rPET nanofibers was also enhanced upon nanofiller incorporation which was illustrated with infrared thermography data. The results suggest the use of both CNT‐ and CNT:G‐loaded rPET composite nanofibers as promising textile materials for passive cooling applications. Highlights Hybrid CNT:G nanofillers are synthesized with weight ratios of 1:1 and 1:3. rPET/CNT and rPET/CNT:G composite nanofibers are electrospun. The thermal conductivity coefficients of the composite nanofibers are improved. The composite nanofibers are also mechanically enhanced. Value‐added rPET products as thermal management materials are proposed.