Phenolic Resin-Based Carbon Thin Fibers Prepared by Electrospinning: Additive Effects of Poly(vinyl butyral) and Electrolytes

Phenolic resin-based carbon nanofibers with a diameter of about 110 nm, the highest electrical conductivity of 5.29 S/cm and highest BET specific surface area of 792.7 m(2)/g were prepared by electrospinning, followed by successive carbonization. The addition of a high-molecular-weight polymer, poly(vinyl butyral) (M-w = 340,000), and electrolytes, pyridine and sodium carbonate, to the phenolic resin/MeOH solution can effectively form a thinner smooth fiber by electrospinning, and then, the as-spun fabrics were successfully carbonized at 900 degrees C for 2 h. Thus the prepared carbonized fabrics are very flexible and showed a thinner diameter, a higher conductivity and a higher specific surface area as already described.