Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Graphene Nanoplatelet-Based Nanofibers for Thermal Energy Storage

The recent progress in nanofiber research has demonstrated the potential for improving the physical properties of materials through the integration of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). This study involves the synthesis and characterization of novel GNP-infused polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) electrospun nanofibers. The required precursor solution was prepared using dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent, and that included 1.5 wt.% concentrations of GNP with 20 wt.% of PVP in 10 mL of DMF solution. The investigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the morphology of the fibers with the distribution of graphene nanoplatelets. The zeta potential analysis demonstrates that the GNP/PVP nanofibers exhibit significant stability across a wide pH range, particularly in highly acidic and basic conditions. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis showed exceptional thermal stability, with minimal weight loss until 300-400°C. The degradation of the PVP matrix was observed beyond 400°C. The results of the study show that GNP/PVP nanofibers have significant potential for specific applications in thermal management and energy storage under controlled temperature conditions.