Core-shell ceramic nanofibers by electrospinning

Gideon Grader, Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Gennady Shter, Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Oren Elishav, Chemical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel

Designs of nanostructured materials with multifunctional, specific properties are a growing research area and can facilitate strategies for the development of new applications. Core-shell structures have attracted great interest in recent years since they consolidate multiple functional components into a single element. Such structure can provide advantageous chemical and physical properties and synergetic effects for applications in the energy storage and conversion sectors and more. Recently we synthesized ceramic nanofibers with unique core-shell mesoporous structure using electrospinning and thermal treatment. The fibers consist of inner Fe-Al-O core with elongated mesopores and an outer Fe-rich shell. A general mechanism of core and shell formation is outlined and confirmed. The electrospinning details of these fibers will be discussed. Depending on heating rates, design of these unique mesoporous nanofibers with or without shell is feasible. Such mesoporous nanofibers are highly promising for new research and applications.