Spectroscopic Investigations on Polyethylene Oxide Based Nanofibers*

Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) nanofibers, were obtained by force spinning using a Fiberio Cyclone L-1000 M equipment operating at spinning rates between 2,500 and 12,500 rotations/minute. PEO nanofibers were obtained from solutions of various concentrations in water or chloroform. Nanocomposites of PEO have been obtained by loading the PEO matrix with various amounts of C60 nanoparticles (average diameter 2 nm) and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs). The research is focused on an improved understanding of nanocomposites, as C60 is soluble in chloroform but not soluble in water.
Spectroscopic investigations by Raman spectroscopy (Renishaw InVia confocal microscope) operating at both 785 and 532 nm will be analyzed. The research aims at a better understanding of the residual stress in polymer and polymer nanocomposites nanofibers, with emphasis on stress transfer in PEO-C60 and PEO-SWCNTs nanocomposites, where the Radial Breathing Mode in SWCNTs and C60 is typically related to the stress-transfer. Complementary data obtained by FTIR (Bruker Tensor), and Wide-Angle X-Ray Spectrometry (Bruker Discovery 8) will be reported.