Unique Core Shell Electrospun Mesoporous Nanofibers

Oren Elishav, Energy, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Vadim Beilin, Chemical Engineering , Technion, Haifa, Israel
Gennady Shter, Chemical Engineering, Technion, Hai, I
Gideon Grader, Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel

Nanostructured materials with multifunctional properties are essential for the development of new applications. Mesoporous structures have been attracted great interest in recent years since they provide advantageous chemical and physical properties for applications in energy storage and conversion, catalysis and more. Recently we synthesized ceramic nanofibers with unique lamellar-like mesoporous structure using a single nozzle electrospinning process, followed by thermal treatment. The fibers consist of inner Fe-Al-O core with elongated mesopores and an outer Fe-rich shell. A general mechanism for the formation of this morphology is outlined. The final structure depends greatly on the heating rate stage and chemical composition of the precursors. The proposed mechanism suggests that this unique structure is possible in the presence of a metal-organic component with low melting point and high volatility below the polymer main decomposition temperature.