Electrospinning and characterization of alumina borosilicate ceramic nanofibres

Alumina borosilicate/polyvinylalcohol (PVA) composite nanofibres were prepared by the sol-gel method and electrospinning technique. Effects of solution viscosity, applied voltage, capillary tip to metal collector distance and calcination temperature were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis. Results indicate that while the initial fibre diameters can be fine-tuned with the right choice of alkoxide-solvent-polymer system and experimental set-up parameters (voltage and capillary tip to collector distance), the final fibre diameter, crystalline phase and morphology of alumina borosilicate fibres are largely influenced by the calcination temperature.