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Production and characterization of liquid crystal/polyacrylonitrile nano-fibers by electrospinning method

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Abstract

We present that high birefringent nematic liquid crystal, 4–n–pentyl–4’–cyanobiphenyl, was incorporated into the polyacrylonitrile precursor which has a strong polar cyano group so as to produce electrospun nano-fibers, as the first time. Optical textures of nano-fibers were taken by polarized optical microscopy with different angles to determine the orientation degree of liquid crystal molecules in the center of the fiber. The molecules of liquid crystal self-ordered within the core of the fiber. Variation in morphology of liquid crystal/polymer nano-fibers were examined by utilizing both scanning electron microscopy and polarized optical microscopy depending on liquid crystal concentration in precursor and application voltage during electrospinning. Morphology of nano-fibers was significantly affected by electrospinning parameters and liquid crystal/polymer ratio. To understand phase separation and thermal stability of nano-fibers, calorimetric and thermogravimetric analyses were performed.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank The Center of Research Laboratories, Mugla Sitki Kocman University and also Dr. Nejmettin AVCI for technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Liquid Crystals Laboratory, Department of Physics, Muğla Sitki Koçman University, TR48000, Muğla, Turkey

    Atilla Eren Mamuk

  2. Molecular Nano-Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Muğla Sitki Koçman University, TR48000, Muğla, Turkey

    Çağdaş Koçak

  3. The Center of Research Laboratories, Muğla Sitki Koçman University, TR48000, Muğla, Turkey

    Çiğdem Elif Demirci Dönmez

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  1. Atilla Eren Mamuk
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A.E.M. designed research; A.E.M., Ç.K., and Ç.E.D.D. performed research and analyzed data; A.E.M. and Ç.K. wrote the paper.

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Correspondence to Atilla Eren Mamuk.

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See the supplementary material for a supporting analysis of optical and morphological properties of nano-fibers. (DOCX 3578 kb)

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Mamuk, A.E., Koçak, Ç. & Demirci Dönmez, Ç.E. Production and characterization of liquid crystal/polyacrylonitrile nano-fibers by electrospinning method. Colloid Polym Sci 299, 1209–1221 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-021-04842-5

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