Polyacrylonitrile Fibers Modified by Nano-Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Particles

A new method for preparing a novel antistatic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber modified by nano-antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) particles is proposed. Nano-ATO particles are first dispersed in water by the dispersant polyethyleneimine PEI, then the nano-ATo suspension is applied in a pre-heating bath during spinning of PAN fibers. When the as-spun fibers are run through the suspension, nano-ATO particles diffuse into them, and an electrically conductive channel is formed during the drawing and drying process. The average diffusion displacement of nano-ATO can reach 100 nm in the final fibers. These fibers not only posses antistatic properties, but they also have good mechanical properties.