Structural evolution in graphitization of nanofibers and mats from electrospun polyimide–mesophase pitch blends

The evolution of structure in multi-step thermal treatment of polyimide–mesophase pitch (PI–pitch) blend nanofiber mats obtained by an electrospinning process is described. The mats were thermally treated at a series of stages up to 3000°C. The structural transformation of the nanofiber mats consisted of three regimes. First regime corresponds to the removal of the majority of non-carbon elements and the formation of initial residual carbon. Second regime involves slow growth of the graphitic layers and slow improvement of their stacking order. Progressive graphitization occurs in regime three when the fibers become highly graphitic. The addition of pitch was found to give rise to overall enhanced graphitic order in the PI–pitch blend nanofibers as reflected in the smaller inter-layer spacing d002 approaching that of the perfect graphite crystal, and the larger crystal sizes, Lc and La, confirmed by XRD analysis, as well as the higher ratio of graphitic structure revealed by Raman spectroscopy. Development of highly localized oriented domains in these nanofibers were observed by dark field TEM. The addition of pitch led to enhancement of both electrical and thermal conductivity.