Needleless electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers mats - Preparation, stabilization, carbonization and composite formation

Abstract

This dissertation deals with NEEDLELESS ELECTROSPUN POLYACRYLONITRILE NANOFIBER MATS - PREPARATION, STABILIZATION, CARBONIZATION AND COMPOSITE FORMATION and consists of a total of nine thematic chapters. At the beginning of the work, the first chapter gives an overview of the research as well as short descriptions of important research results. In addition, theoretical frameworks of the work are presented and the state of the art is examined, with a focus on electrospinning technology and the influences of parameters in the electrospinning process. Subsequently, the oxidation and stabilization processes of nanofiber mats are presented. The second chapter focuses on the methodology of the investigations and describes materials, devices and research methods used in this work. This chapter begins with an overview of the materials used. Then, the structure and principle of the needleless electrospinning machine is vividly illustrated. In addition, special attention is paid to the sample preparation and also to the fixing methods of nanofiber mats during the stabilization process. Several attempts to fix nanofibers during the stabilization process are illustrated and explained in more detail. In addition, experimental framework conditions for stabilization and carbonization parameters are presented and clearly described. This chapter concludes with various materials characterization methods that will be used during the research work in this dissertation. The research results can be found in chapters three to eight, where they are presented as a compendium of publications. In total, these chapters are based on six publications that have already been published, accepted or submitted.