Development of electrospun metallic hybrid nanofibers via metallization

The metallized hybrid nanofiber webs were prepared by using a combined technology of electrostatic spinning and metallization. The electrospun polyurethane (PU) nanofibers were metallized with different thicknesses of copper layer via metal vapor deposition technique. The thickness of the copper layer, which ranges from 10 to 100 nm, was monitored and controlled. The resultant metallized hybrid nanofiber webs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FE‐SEM images demonstrated that the nanoscaled copper layers are well deposited on the surface of the PU nanofibers. TGA result indicated that the thermal stability of the metallized hybrid PU nanofibers was dramatically enhanced due to the barrier effects of thin metallic copper layer. WAXD data confirmed that the crystalline copper layers were well deposited onto the PU nanofibers. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the metallized hybrid PU nanofiber webs were increased with increase in the thickness of deposited copper layer. Unlike the organic PU nanofiber webs, it was observed that the metallized hybrid PU nanofiber webs showed higher conductive properties depending on the thickness of the deposited copper layer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.