2B4_0505_ ELECTROSPINNING OF SILICA NANOFIBERS WITHOUT CARRIER POLYMER FOR ADVANCED ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Nanofibrous materials produced via electrospinning are characterized by a high porosity, large specific surface area, and high pore interconnectivity and, therefore, show potential for, e.g., separation and filtration. The development of more inert nanofibers with higher thermal and chemical resistance extends the application field. Silica nanofibrous membranes produced by direct electrospinning of a sol–gel solution without a sacrificing carrier meet these challenging demands. A combination of hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) precursor, results in dense silica nanofibers with superior mechanical properties, without a rough and uneven surface, allowing the use in advanced engineering applications.