Magnetic Carbon Nanofiber Mats for Prospective Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) Sensing Applications

Electrospinning enables simple and cost-effective production of magnetic nanofibers by adding nanoparticles to a polymer solution. In order to increase the electrical conductivity of such nanofibers, the carbonization process is crucial. In this study, the chemical and morphological properties of magnetic nanofiber mats prepared from polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/magnetite were investigated. In our previous studies, PAN/magnetite nanofiber mats were carbonized at 500 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C. Here, PAN/magnetite nanofiber mats were carbonized at 1000 °C. The surface morphology of these PAN/magnetite nanofiber mats is not significantly different from nanofiber mats thermally treated at 800 °C and have remained relatively flexible at 1000 °C, which can be advantageous for various application fields. The addition of nanoparticles increased the average fiber diameter compared to pure PAN nanofiber mats and improved the dimensional stability during thermal processes. The high conductivity, the high magnetization properties, as well as shielding against electromagnetic interference of such carbonized nanofibers can be proposed for use in single photon avalanche diode (SPAD), where these properties are advantageous.

Magnetic Force Microscopy on Nanofibers—Limits and Possible Approaches for Randomly Oriented Nanofiber Mats

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) belongs to the methods that enable spatially resolved magnetization measurements on common thin-film samples or magnetic nanostructures. The lateral resolution can be much higher than in Kerr microscopy, another spatially resolved magnetization imaging technique, but since MFM commonly necessitates positioning a cantilever tip typically within a few nanometers from the surface, it is often more complicated than other techniques. Here, we investigate the progresses in MFM on magnetic nanofibers that can be found in the literature during the last years. While MFM measurements on magnetic nanodots or thin-film samples can often be found in the scientific literature, reports on magnetic force microscopy on single nanofibers or chaotic nanofiber mats are scarce. The aim of this review is to show which MFM investigations can be conducted on magnetic nanofibers, where the recent borders are, and which ideas can be transferred from MFM on other rough surfaces towards nanofiber mats.

Needleless Electrospun Magnetic Carbon Nanofiber Mats for Sensor Applications

Magnetic nanofibers can be fabricated by adding nanoparticles in polymer solution using electrospinning method. The advantages of such nanofibers include a large surface-to-volume ratio and high porosity, which makes them promising for sensing applications. In addition, carbonization of such nanofibers increases electrical conductivity. In this study, the chemical and morphological properties of magnetic nanofiber mats prepared from polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/magnetite and carbonized at 500 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C were measured. Resulting surface morphologies with some agglomerations are discussed. Addition of nanoparticles increased average fiber diameter and improved dimensional stability.

Investigation of metallic nanoparticle distribution in PAN/magnetic nanocomposites fabricated with needleless electrospinning technique

Needleless electrospinning can be used to produce polyacrylonitrile nanofibres, for example, to which magnetic nanoparticles can additionally be added. Such composite nanofibres can then be stabilised and carbonised to produce carbon composite nanofibres. The magnetic nanoparticles have an influence not only on the structure but also on the mechanical and electrical properties of the finished carbon nanofibres, as does the heat treatment during stabilisation and incipient carbonisationThe present study reports on the fabrication, heat treatment and resulting properties of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN)/magnetic nanofibre mats prepared by needleless electrospinning from polymer solutions. A variety of microscopic and thermal characterisation methods were used to investigate in detail the chemical and morphological transition during oxidative stabilisation (280 °C) and incipient carbonisation (500 °C). PAN and nanoparticles were analysed during all stages of heat treatment. Compared to pure PAN nanofibres, the PAN/ magnetic nanofibers showed larger fiber diameters and the presence of beads and agglomerations. In this study, magnetic nanofibers were investigated in more detail with the aim of detecting undesired agglomerations. Visual observation, for example with CLSM or SEM, does not provide conclusive evidence of agglomerations in the nanofibers. But based on the capabilities of SEM/EDS many different types of samples can be easily analysed where other analytical techniques simply cannot give the fast answer.

Supramolecular-micelle-directed preparation of uniform magnetic nanofibers with length tunability, colloidal stability and capacity for surface functionalization

We report a versatile and efficient platform to prepare uniform magnetic nanofibers with length tunability, colloidal and morphological stability, capacity for surface functionalization and enhanced T2 contrast.