Exploring micellar behavior of surfactants-assisted electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers

Current work investigates new and easy method for doping PAN nanofibers with four types of colloidal surfactants to improve their electrical and structural characteristics. Solution conductivity measurements were used to establish each surfactant’s critical micelle concentration to optimally electrospun them into nanofibers. Surfactant addition significantly decreased fiber diameter and enhanced surface homogeneity producing thin fibers (~ 180 nm). When comparing surfactant-modified fibers to pure PAN, impedance spectroscopy showed notable improvement in dielectric relaxation and charge transport behavior. This work is interesting because it establishes previously unreported direct association between electrical impedance response of electrospun PAN nanofibers, micellar behavior and surfactant type. The type of surfactant and its micellar properties have a significant impact on the electrospinning behavior of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. This work opens door for enhanced performance of PAN nanofibers in flexible electronics, energy devices and filtration systems by proving that surfactant-assisted electrospinning is practical, affordable and adjustable method of controlling electrical and morphological characteristics of PAN nanofibers.