Synthesis and Characterization of Porous Carbon Nanofibers with Hollow Cores Through the Thermal Treatment of Electrospun Copolymeric Nanofiber Webs

Porous, fibrous carbon nanofibers containing hollow cores (see image) are fabricated by electrospinning two immiscible polymer solutions followed by thermal treatment at 1000 °C in an inert atmosphere. This new type of carbon nanofibers has controlled porosity combined with a low density and expected high electrical and mechanical properties due to an interlinked fiber morphology, and may be utilized as an efficient electromagnetic shielding material.