Spherical and rodlike inorganic nanoparticle regulated the orientation of carbon nanotubes in polymer nanofibers

Abstract PVA nanofibers containing carboxylic-modified MWCNTs were fabricated via electrospinning of PVA/MWCNTs mixed solution. The alignment of MWCNTs in PVA nanofibers was studied using transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. In addition, the orientation of MWCNTs in PVA nanofibers was further investigated in the presence of rod-like nanoparticle rectorite (REC) and of spherical nanoparticle titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). The images demonstrated the embedment of MWCNTs in the nanofibers and the alignment of MWCNTs along the fiber axis. Moreover, the addition of REC and TiO 2 improved the alignment of MWCNTs in PVA nanofibers.