Author(s): Yutaka Kawahara
To produce the precursor fibers with nano-scale diameter for carbon nanofibers (CNFs), the electrospinning was attempted using water as the solvent of the spinning dope. For this purpose, directly carbonizable resolphenol formaldehyde resin not requiring its post cure treatment was used instead of conventional novolac type. The electrospinning could be made by hybridizing PVA and enhancing the electrospinnability. The as-electrospun fibers, however, were still so hydrophilic that the fibers were fused each other due to the moisture absorption. By hybridizing water-soluble feather keratin as a third component, whole fusion of electrospun fibers could be suppressed although some of the fibers were still partially fused. The electrospun fibers obtained will be applicable as a precursor for the production of non-woven CNF fabrics through direct carbonization.
