Tailoring reduced graphene oxide into nanofibrous architectures: fabrication, characterization, and functional insights

Abstract

The electrospinning process allows the production of nanofibers from polymer solutions, making them suitable for various applications such as sensors, electronic devices, conductive materials, and advanced composites for high-temperature environments. In this research, polyaniline (PANI) was doped with camphor sulfonic camphor sulfonic acid (HCSA). HCSA dopant is used to modify the electrical and structural properties of polyaniline. To introduce reduced graphene oxide as a nanofiller to enhance the electrical properties of the polymer. Both the HCSA-doped PANI and HCSA-doped PANI with rGO nanofibers were electro-spun separately to create individual nanofibers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical composition and functional groups present in the nanofibers. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was employed to study the nanofibers’ morphology, structure, and surface characteristics. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to assess the thermal stability of the nanofibers and to approximate the content of rGO. These results indicate that the addition of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) led to improvements in the nanofibers’ electrical conductivity and thermal stability.