Insights into the pore-forming effect of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as the polymer template to synthesize mesoporous alumina nanofibers via electrospinning

In this work, mesoporous alumina nanofibers were synthesized using polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as polymer template via electrospinning technique. Both alumina precursor sol and precursor solution mixed well with PVB ethanol solution in temperature range of 40–80 °C to attain transparent spinning solutions. Continuous precursor nanofibers with rough and warped surface were obtained after electrospinning. Calcination of precursor nanofibers in air yielded the opening of mesopores in alumina nanofibers. Rapid escape of gaseous products and phase separation between PVB and alumina precursors were responsible for the formation of porous framework.