Multifunctional composite fibers with conductive and magnetic properties

Abstract

The composite fibers with conductive and magnetic properties were prepared from the spinning solution consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate), and Co-doped Fe3O4 magnetic particles (Co-Fe3O4) via a conventional wet spinning process. The morphology, microstructure, elemental composition, crystallinity, thermal stability, mechanical properties, conductivity, and magnetic properties of the composite fibers were studied. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that the diameters of the composite fibers were in the range of 30–50 μm with a rough surface and reniform cross-section. The energy-dispersive spectra results indicated that the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) particles were mostly distributed on the surface of the composite fiber, while the Co-Fe3O4 magnetic particles mainly existed inside the fiber. The composite fibers were amorphous, but contained a certain crystalline phase, and with the increase of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) content, the crystallinity of the composite fiber decreased. The conductivity and saturation magnetization of the composite fiber with a Co-Fe3O4 content of 2.68 wt% and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) of 8.6 wt% reached 0.2 S/cm and 1.9 A m2/kg, respectively. Besides, the composite fibers displayed improved thermal stability and good mechanical properties, which are applicable in electromagnetic protection fields.