Unveiling the potential of cellulose, chitosan and polylactic acid as precursors for the production of green carbon nanofibers with controlled morphology and diameter

Feng, Yifan, Bazzar, Masoomeh, Hernaez, Miguel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7878-4704, Barreda, Daniel, Mayes, Andrew G., González, Zoraida and Melendi-Espina, Sonia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1083-3896 (2024) Unveiling the potential of cellulose, chitosan and polylactic acid as precursors for the production of green carbon nanofibers with controlled morphology and diameter. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 269 (Part 2). ISSN 0141-8130

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Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are very promising materials with application in many fields, such as sensors, filtration systems, and energy storage devices. This study aims to explore the use of eco-friendly biopolymers for CNF production, finding novel, suitable and sustainable precursors and thus prioritising environmentally conscious processes and ecological compatibility. Polymeric nanofibers (PNFs) using cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, and chitosan as precursors were successfully prepared via electrospinning. Rheological testing was performed to determine suitable solution concentrations for the production of PNFs with controlled diameter and appropriate morphology. Their dimensions and structure were found to be significantly influenced by the solution concentration and electrospinning flow rate. Subsequently, the electrospun green nanofibers were subject to stabilisation and carbonisation to convert them into CNFs. Thermal behaviour and chemical/structural changes of the nanofibers during stabilisation were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, while the final morphology of the fibers after stabilisation and carbonisation was examined through scanning electron microscopy to determine the optimal stabilisation parameters. The optimal fabrication parameters for cellulose and chitosan-based CNFs with excellent morphology and thermal stability were successfully established, providing valuable insight and methods for the sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis of these promising materials.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding information: SM-E would like to express her gratitude for the Fellowship supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships scheme (LTRF2021\17130). Some equipment and components used in the electrospinning work were purchased through NERC grant NE/S003975/1, which we gratefully acknowledge.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Engineering Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Chemistry of Materials and Catalysis
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	07 May 2024 11:31
Last Modified:	10 May 2024 09:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/95084
DOI:	10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132152

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