Preparation of low cost alumina nanofibers via electrospinning of aluminium chloride hydroxide/poly (vinyl alcohol) solution

Summary

Alumina (Al₂O₃) nanofibres are valuable as reinforcement in high-performance metal, polymer and ceramic composites, but many synthesis routes are costly. This study demonstrates a low-cost path: electrospinning an aqueous precursor of aluminium chloride hydroxide and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), with an aluminium-salt-to-polymer mass ratio of about 5:1. The as-spun composite fibres were then calcined at 1100 °C to burn off the organic PVA and convert the inorganic precursor into pure alumina. The resulting fibres, characterised by thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), X-ray diffraction and field-emission electron microscopy, had a mean diameter of roughly 470 nm and a well-defined corundum (α-Al₂O₃) crystal structure. The approach offers an economical way to produce ceramic alumina nanofibres for composite reinforcement.

Authors & Affiliations

• Predrag Milanović

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Marija Dimitrijević

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Radmila Jančić Heineman

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Jelena Rogan

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Dušica B. Stojanović

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Aleksandar Kojović

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Radoslav Aleksić

  Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Topics

Materials

Linari Electrospinning Systems