The surface-passivated and non-surface-passivated zinc oxide nano-particles (marked as s-nanoZnO and ns-nanoZnO respectively) were evenly dispersed in polymer solutions with the aid of ultrasonic vibration to prepare nanocomposite film by free casting and to prepare nanocomposite fibers by wet spinning and to prepare nanocomposites coating by surface smearing. The dispersion of s-nanoZnO and ns-nanoZnO in PAN matrix were observed by transmittance electron microscopy, the mechanical properties of the relevant composite samples were studied by INSRTON tensile strength tester. It was found that s-nanoZnO behaves a well-dispersed morphology in PAN films and fibers when its concentration was 2 wt% but ns-nanoZnO nano particles agglomerate into larger congeries in PAN films. It means that the surface-passivated process on zinc oxide nano-particles was effective to disperse. The relative intensity and elongation at break of s-nanoZnO-PAN composite fibers show maximum values with the increase of nano particle content in composites (from 0 wt% to 2 wt% of s-nanoZnO). The elasticity of the composite fibers increases whereas their modulus declines. Balanced the changes of the properties mentioned above, 2 wt% s-nanoZnO in PAN matrix is a proper content for the composite fibers spun by wet spinning. The result of surface smearing test means that the reaction between s-nanoZnO and polymer can be indicated by the color of nanocomposite surface coat on fibers.
