Preparation of Alumina Fibers by Needle-Less Electrospinning

Abstract:

In this study the needle-less electrospinning by means of “Nanospider^TM“ (ELMARCO) as technology for the preparation of fine α-Al₂O₃ fibers with diameters of 0.5 - 1.5 µm is presented. The fabrication consists of three steps: i) preparation of spinning solution, ii) electrospinning of the prepared solution and collection of the composite fibers, iii) calcination of the composite precursor fibers. The electrospun fibers were prepared from polyacrylonitrile/N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) polymer solution and Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O in ratio 1/10/1. Thereafter, the precursor fibers were calcined in the furnace at 900, 1100 and 1200 °C with a rate of 5 °C/min in air. The formation of crystalline phases, surface morphology and diameters of metastable and final alumina fibers were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The precursor PAN/Al(NO₃)₃ fibers were amorphous. The thermal treatment leads to the phase transition from γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ accompanied by removing of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The fine porous microfibers composed of pure α-Al₂O₃ phase were prepared after calcinations at 1200 °C.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 891)
• Pages: 478-482
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.891.478
• Online since: March 2017
• Authors: Erika Mudra*, Magdalena Streckova, Alexandra Kovalcikova, Martin Šebek, Vladimír Girman, Jan Dusza
• Keywords: Alumina, Electrospinning, Electrospun Nanofibers, Metal Oxide Catalysts, Nanospider

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