Carbon-Nano Fibers Yield Improvement with Iodinated Electrospun PVA/Silver Nanoparticle as Precursor via One-Step...

High temperature is required in carbon fiber synthesis in the carbonization step. However, direct high-temperature heating without the presence of additive materials would affect the yield and structure of carbon fibers produced. Thus, this study aims to synthesize carbon fibers from poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA), as the precursor and reducing agent, using silver nanoparticles (SNP) from silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as additives. The pre-treatment of PVA was performed in three steps, i.e., mixing PVA/AgNO₃, electrospinning, and iodination. The interaction of PVA and AgNO₃ was assessed by FTIR, and SEM was used to characterize the electro-spun fibers prior and after iodination; Raman spectrophotometer was carried out to confirm the yield of carbon fibers. There was reduction in oxygen groups (3000-3800 cm^-1) and emergence of -C=O (1100 cm^-1) and -C=C- (1627 cm^-1) functional groups, indicating formation of carbon layers. Based on the DT/GA results, the silver nanoparticles reduce the need of high temperature with optimum carbonization at 350 °C and lead to the formation of more regular graphene layers. Graphene layers with a size distribution of 0.438 nm and well-organized structures were successfully formed, and the Raman shifting showed higher intensities of G and G' bands in the presence of Ag. Based on DT/GA results, the yield of carbon fibers with iodinated PVA fibers and SNP as additive had higher rates around 800 µg/min, reaching 33% at 500 °C. Thus, it is demonstrated that iodinated PVA/AgNO₃ samples can significantly improve carbon fiber yield at low temperatures.