Production of 3D ZrO2 nanofibrous structures by solution blow spinning

Abstract

Zirconia nanofibers are of great technological and economic interest with various potential applications areas, such as thermal barriers, sensors, catalysis, and energy generation. Thus, this study aims to develop a non-sol-gel route for the production of 3D nanofibrous structures of zirconia, using solution blow spinning (SBS) technique. Precursor solutions were prepared using zirconium acetate in acetic acid solution and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as spinning aid polymer. 3D aerogel structures were produced by SBS. The influence of calcination temperature on phase evolution and fibers morphology was evaluated in the range of 500°C to 1000°C. Initially tetragonal phase was the stable structure, with the rise in temperature zirconia fibers underwent a transition to monoclinic phase. The average diameters ranged from 111 ± 38 nm to 458 ± 183 nm with temperature rise, but in all temperature aerogel structural integrity was observed. Therefore, a simplified non-sol-gel route using SBS proved efficient in producing 3D nanofibrous zirconia aerogel structures with potential application in several technological areas.