Polyvinylbutyral-assisted synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica nanofibers by electrospinning route

Abstract

In this study, mesoporous silica nanofibers were synthesized from tetraethylorthosilicate in a mixture of ethanol, hydrochloric acid, water and polyvinylbutyral PVB as precursor, via a simple sol–gel and electrospinning route. Hexagonal silica nanofibers were obtained by annealing treatment at 850°C for 12 h. The morphology, crystal structure, and particle size of fibers have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyzer, energy-dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform–infrared spectrometer. The pore structures were characterized by the N2 absorption–desorption isotherm.