Polymer assisted fabrication of nanoparticles on electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

The viability of nanotechnology strongly depends on its ability to synthesize nanometer-sized building blocks and to position them precisely at a predefined location. In this study, the aim is to control the size and distribution of nanoparticles by polymer assisted fabrication through electrospun nanofibers. Electrospun polymeric nanofibers were chosen as template materials to tune the synthesis of nanoparticles. Synthesis of different polymer structures of block and random copolymers showed that the electrostatic interactions are one of the key parameters for size control. Electrospinning parameters were examined in detail and different reduction agents and heat treatments were applied to investigate the effect of processing conditions on nanoparticle generations. By selectively changing the process conditions, nanoparticles on the order of 2-5 nm at 600°C to 10-17 nm at 1000°C could be generated. The catalytic activities of metal nanoparticles on carbon nanofibers showed an electroactive active surface area of 34.6 m²/g for Pt and 22.4 m²/g for Pd. These results confirmed the feasibility of the use of metalized nanoparticles on carbonized nanofibers as catalysts for fuel cell applications.