Partially transformation of zinc nitrat to zinc compounds on polyvinyl chloride nanofibers at low temperature heat treatment and investigation of the products optical properties

Zinc compounds are photoactive material and they are incorporated into the material to differentiate the optical properties of the material. Polyvinyl chloride/zinc nitrate (PVC/ÇN) composite precursor nanofibers were produced by electrospinning by dissolving PVC and ÇN in dimethylformamide/tetrahydrofuran (DMF/THF) solvent mixture and electrospinning the solution. As-spun nanofibers were treated with aqueous NaOH and then stayed at 80°C for one hour to partially convert ÇN to zinc compounds in/on the PVC nanofibers. Nanofibers have been investigated in terms of morphological, chemical, crystalline structure, thermal and optical properties. An increase in transmittance values was observed at the nanofibers after thermal treatment due to the ratio of ÇN in the precursor PVC/ÇN nanofibers, and a decrease in reflectance values was observed. The produced fine nanofibers and nanofiber coated surfaces could be potentially used to coat drapery fabrics where controllable light transmission is required.