Preliminary Study of Preparation and Characterizations of Carbon-Based Materials-Embedded on Nanocomposites Fiber for Smart Textile Applications

Abstract

Carbon-based materials-embedded on nanocomposites fiber are interesting due their unique properties for versatile application such as smart textile or electro or e-textile. Herein, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO)/PVA nanocomposites fibers were developed through rotational wet spinning process. The resultant of nanocomposites fiber was characterized systematically through optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), resistivity test, tensile test, and sensitivity test. Based on SEM observation, the diameter of pristine MWCNT/PVA and GO/PVA nanocomposites fibers were around 260 and 200 μm, respectively. The results show that MWCNT/PVA nanocomposites fibers with the ratio of 1:5 show higher tensile strength and elongation in compare with GO/PVA nanocomposites fibers with the ratio of 1:5. According to the resistivity test, MWCNT/PVA nanocomposites fiber shows the conductivity values in the range of 10 -2 S/cm. Dispersion and arrangement of carbon-based materials on the polymer matrix are supposed to be the main factor that influenced nanocomposites fiber properties including the mechanical and electrical properties. Therefore, these nanocomposites fiber are anticipated to be developed as a component for smart fabric or smart textiles.