Preparation and Characterization of ZrO2 Nanofibers and Nanobelts by Electrospinning

ZrO2 fibers and belts have been fabricated by heat-treating the hybrid fibers and belts which were prepared by electrospinning method. Fiber and belt properties, for instance, surface morphology, diameter of fibers, crystallization formation, etc. were investigated by various techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) included. It was found that more belts and thicker fibers appeared with increasing PVP content. Using N,N,N-trimethyl-1-dodecanaminium bromide (DTAB) can avoid formation of belts and reduce the diameter of fibers from a range of 270 to 750 nm to a range of 90 to 150 nm. It all obtained monoclinic ZrO2 fibers and belts after heat-treating (respectively at 700, 800, 900 °C) hybrid fibers and belts. The higher temperature heat-treatment leads rougher fibers and belts.