Polymer - Plastics Technology and Engineering, vol.51, no.3, pp.257-262, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, boron-doped poly(vinyl) alcohol/HfO 2 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning using PVA as a precursor. The effect of boron doping was investigated in terms of solution properties, morphological changes and thermal characteristics. Nanofiber mats were calcined first at 800°C. Then, the calcined products were pelleted and sintered at a rate of 8°C/min and remained 2 h at 850°C at atmospheric conditions to produce ultrafine ceramic nanocrystalline powders. The fibers and nanocrystalline powders were characterized by FT-IR, XPS, XRD and SEM. The addition of boron did not only increase the thermal stability of the fibers, but also their diameters, which yielded stronger fibers. The addition of boron did not only increase the thermal stability of the fibers, but also their diameters, which yielded stronger fibers. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.