Development of MXene-Enhanced Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers: A Comprehensive Study on Synthesis and Characterization

The integration of two-dimensional materials into polymer matrices has garnered significant attention in recent years due to potential to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of composite materials. This study focuses on synthesizing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Ti ₃ C ₂ T _x MXene into a nonwoven nanofiber (NF) composite mat using an electrospinning. Following the electrospinning process, the fibers underwent pyrolysis, a crucial step that enhances their electrical conductivity and structural integrity. To characterize the nanofibers, an X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. XRD and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of both PVA and MXene, while SEM revealed improved morphological properties, including increased surface area and a higher number of active sites. The Raman spectra provided insights into defect densities, with the I _D /I _G ratio indicating that the incorporation of MXene and subsequent pyrolysis effectively increased defect density in PVA while enhancing its amorphous nature. Importantly, electrical conductivity measurements demonstrated a substantial enhancement in direct current conductivity for the pyrolyzed PVA-MXene composite fibers. The improved defect densities created an additional pathway for charge carriers through localized stress distribution, leading to higher conductivity.