Synthesis of Biomorphic Fe2O3 Fibers Derived from Silk Template

Abstract

Abstract. Natural silk fibers were used as the template to synthesis biomorphic Fe 2 O 3 fibers. Silk fibers were first immersed into a Fe(NO 3 ) 3 solution and then sintered in air at high temperatures to produce the final Fe 2 O 3 fibers. Their microstructures, phases, and synthesis process were analyzed. The results show that these synthesized fibers retained the morphologies of silk faithfully. The concentration of the Fe(NO 3 ) 3 solution, the soak period, and the sintering temperatures all had the effect on the continuity of the biomorphic fibers. The fabrication process of biomorphic ceramic included the formation of Fe 2 O 3 and removal of their silk templates.