Pure hybrid nanofibers made of 4,4′-bis(triethoxysilyl)-1,1′-biphenyl and the way of their production

Abstract

Nanofibers bring everyday challenges to modern material science. Different types of fibrous materials made of organic and/or inorganic components are well known worldwide and find applications in various fields of industry and everyday life, covering optoelectronics, energetics, sensors, catalysis, filtration and/or medicine. However, their combination in the form of hybrid nanofibers is a part of science that has not been fully discovered yet. Hybrid organic-inorganic organosilane nanofibers bring completely new, unique and extraordinary properties given by the interconnection of organic and inorganic components via strong covalent bonds between silicon and carbon. Herein, we briefly present the patented process leading to the preparation of the first purely hybrid organic-inorganic organosilane nanofibers composed of organo-bis-silylated precursor based on 4.4′-bis(triethoxysilyl)-1.1′-biphenyl, which were successfully prepared by a sol–gel process combined with electrospinning techniques. These hybrid nanofibers were prepared without using various types of additives such as organic polymers and/or surfactants, which are commonly used as support during the preparation of other types of nanofibers.