Preparation, phase transformation and microstructure of ZrxTi1−xO2 (x = 0.1–0.9) fine fibers

ZrxTi1−xO2 (x = 0.1–0.9) fibers were prepared by the sol–gel dry-spinning method. Polyacetylacetonatozirconium (PAZ) and tetrabutyl titanate (C16H36O4Ti) were used as raw materials. The green fibers were obtained from the amorphous spinnable solution and then heat-treated to convert into polycrystalline fibers. The main phase changes from TiO2 to zirconium titanate (ZT) and then tetragonal ZrO2 with increasing ZrO2 content. The crystallization temperature varied with the molar ratio of Zr:Ti. The heat-treated fibers at 1050 °C have few pores and no cracks with diameters of 10–20μm and lengths of 1–5 cm.