TAGRA 2025

The development of conductive and mechanically robust nanofibers remains a significant challenge for advanced applications in sensors, energy devices, and flexible electronics. This study addresses the need for enhanced nanofiber performance by fabricating carbon-based nanofibers reinforced with carbon fillers through an optimized electrospinning process. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) (0.2–1.0 g) was dissolved in 10 mL of dimethylformamide (DMF) and subsequently blended with 0.2–1.0 g of carbon-based fillers. The mixture was sonicated for 30 minutes and stirred for 4 hours to achieve a uniform electrospinning solution. The solution was electrospun at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/hour, with a needle-to-collector distance of 20 cm and an applied voltage of 18 kV, using aluminum foil as the collection substrate. Characterization of the fabricated nanofibers was conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to examine fiber morphology, a four-point probe to evaluate electrical conductivity, and a universal testing machine to assess mechanical strength. The results show that the incorporation of carbon fillers significantly improved fiber uniformity, reduced bead formation, and enhanced both electrical conductivity and tensile performance. These improvements demonstrate that controlled carbon filler loading can effectively tailor the functional properties of PAN-based nanofibers. Overall, this work contributes to the development of high-performance electrospun nanofibers and highlights their potential for use in next-generation electronic and structural applications.