Vapor phase-grown TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles inside electrospun polymer fibers and their calcination-induced organization

Abstract

The spatial organization of metal oxide nanoparticles represents an important factor in the chemical utilization of resulting structures. For the production of networks that are composed of metal oxide nanoparticle chains, we dispersed vapor phase-grown TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles homogeneously in an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution. After electrospinning, we analyzed the sizes and diameters of the compositionally homogeneous electrospun fibers and discussed the size distribution and morphology of the nanoparticles inside. Calcination-induced polymer removal gives rise to self-supported nanoparticle-based nanofibers. Particle coarsening by a factor of ~ 2 for TiO2 and ~ 3 for ZnO nanoparticles is observed. Graphical abstract

Water-Mediated Conversion of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles into BaCO3 Nanorods in Electrospun Polymer Fibers: Implications for Carbon Capture Applications

“…The systematic evaluation of BTO nanoparticle powder reactivity toward liquid water was triggered by observations from polymer-encapsulated nanoparticles after their formulation with aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) mixtures for electrospinning ( Figure 1 ). 20 If highly dispersed vapor phase grown metal oxide nanoparticles, such as those of TiO 2 or ZnO, show no reactivity toward water and the polymer, characteristic threads of particle chains can be isolated after annealing induced polymer removal. 20 The microstructural situation of as-synthesized BTO nanoparticle powders in water formulated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) dispersions, however, is very different ( Figure 1 ).…”

“… 20 If highly dispersed vapor phase grown metal oxide nanoparticles, such as those of TiO 2 or ZnO, show no reactivity toward water and the polymer, characteristic threads of particle chains can be isolated after annealing induced polymer removal. 20 The microstructural situation of as-synthesized BTO nanoparticle powders in water formulated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) dispersions, however, is very different ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…The fabrication of continuous fibers with diameters that can be scaled down to a few nanometers is particularly well-suited for the production of composite nanofibers incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles. These composite fibers give rise to significant specific surface areas of the material which hosts a rich network of particle–particle interfaces, enhancing their performance as sensors or catalyst components . Poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a widely used additive and polymer, offers several advantageous properties: it is highly hydrophilic, nontoxic, and biocompatible .…”

“…These composite fibers give rise to significant specific surface areas of the material which hosts a rich network of particle–particle interfaces, enhancing their performance as sensors or catalyst components. 20 Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a widely used additive and polymer, offers several advantageous properties: it is highly hydrophilic, nontoxic, and biocompatible. 21 Loaded with BTO nanoparticles, such ultrafine fibers can exploit the properties of the insulating, semiconducting, 22 or piezoelectric properties that are used for flexible nanogenerators.…”