Carbon nanotube core–polymer shell nanofibers

Abstract

Abstract Single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) and SWNT/polyacrylonitrile composite nanofibers were electrospun with SWNT bundles as the cores and the polymers as the shells. This was a novel approach for processing core (carbon nanotube)–shell (polymer) nanofibers. Raman spectroscopy results show strain‐induced intensity variations in the SWNT radial breathing mode and an upshift in the tangential ( G ) and overtone of the disorder ( G ′) bands, suggesting compressive forces on the SWNTs in the electrospun composite fibers. Such fibers may find applications as conducting nanowires and as atomic force microscopy tips. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1992–1995, 2005