Carbon nanotubes reinforced electrospun chitosan nanocomposite coating on anodized AZ31 magnesium alloy

Chitosan based nanofibers containing carbon nanotubes were applied on AZ31 magnesium alloy via electrospinning. The magnesium substrate was initially anodized in a NaOH solution in order to improve the adhesion between the coating and substrate. Electrospinning parameters were optimized and homogenous nanofibers composite coatings were produced. Addition of carbon nanotubes reduced the size of the chitosan nanofibers. Also the size distribution of the fibers became more uniform. The chemical structure of the coatings was also evaluated by FTIR test and it verified stabilization of the nanofibers coating in a supersaturated sodium carbonate solution. Raman spectra showed the D and G band which corroborates the presence of Carbon Nanotubes in the coating.