Hybrids of Polystyrene-b-Poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-b- Polystyrene Reinforced by Electrospun Polyimide/ Carbon Nanotube Nanofibers: Preparation and Properties

Using electrospinning technique, well-aligned poly(azo-ether-imide) (PAEI) nano-fibers and PAEI/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nano-fibers were developed in this effort. Afterwards, polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-ran-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) and polyimide-based nano-fiber films were casted. The as-prepared electrospun nanofibers acted as homogeneous reinforcement to enhance the tensile strength and heat resistance of the films. Compared with neat SEBS, tensile strength of the films reinforced with PAEI and PAEI/MWCNT nano-fibers remarkably increased by >181%. The significant enhancement in the overall mechanical properties of the PAEI/MWCNT nano-fibers reinforced SEBS films was credited to fine compatibility between the electrospun nano-fibers and the matrix as well as superior nano-fiber orientation in the matrix. The homogeneous alignment of PAEI/MWCNT nano-fibers was also studied using SEM micrographs. Moreover, the thermal stability of PAEI/MWCNT nano-fibers reinforced SEBS found to be superior having 10% gravimetric loss in the range 591-602°C and glass transition temperature of 238-255°C relative to the neat polymer and PAEI nano-fiber-based system.