Electrospinning of Ceramic Fibers

Larsen et al. [31] were the first to combine electrospinning with the sol-gel method to obtain the nanofibers made from inorganic oxides and hybrid materials (organic and inorganic). 

Several ceramic oxide fibers with diameters between 200 and 400 nm were obtained by calcination at high temperatures of a hybrid (inorganic and polymeric materials) obtained by electrospinning [32-35], In these studies, it was observed that the calcination tanperature has great influence on the crystallinity of the phases and morphology of the fibers obtained. 

Nuansing et al. [36] investigated the formation of hybrid nanofibers by electro-spinning polymer/ceramic in the form of a network. Through electrospinning of an ethanol solution containing both polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and titanium (diiso-proproxide) bis (2,4-pentanedionate) nanofibers were formed. After heat treatment of these fibers in air at 300-700 °C, the authors obtained titanium oxide nanofibers with diameters between 85 and 132 mn. 

In recent research, some authors obtained nanofibers of hollow ceramic nanotubes, with walls composed of a ceramic composite [37] (Fig. 4.4). Obtaining nanotubes by electrospinning is possible through the use of two immiscible liquids in a system of two coaxial capillaries, and subsequent selective removal of the compound nucleus. 

The ability to execute this method has been proven by Li et al. [37] in a study where pure anatase-titania nanotubes/polymer were obtained. The presence of a sol-gel precursor was required for the formation of a stable and coaxial jet and the formation of hollow fibers with resistant walls. The authors anphasize that the uniform circular cross-section of these fibers, their uniform size, and good spatial orientation, are particularly attractive in the fabrication of devices for fluid transport, as well as guides for optical signals. 

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Sigmund W, Yuh J, Park H, Maneeratana V, Pyrgiotakis G, Daga A, Taylor J and Nino J C (2006) Processing and structure relationships in electrospinning of ceramic fiber systems, J Am Ceram Soc 89 395-407. 

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