Dual fiber behavior of polyvinyl alcohol/zirconium n-propoxide composite fibrous mats prepared via electrospinning

The electrospinning technique has been used to prepare composite fibrous mats of polyvinyl alcohol and zirconium n-propoxide. A halide-free synthesis route was adopted to prepare sol of zirconium n-propoxide. The fiber mats were deposited under different process parameters (applied voltage, needle–collector distance and flow rate). Two distinct regions have been noticed in the each fibrous mat for every specific process parameter. The microstructural change in the outer as well as in the inner regions of the composite fibers has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The process parameters significantly affect the fiber morphology of both the distinct regions. Outer region fibers showed least beaded morphology and more uniformity in the fiber diameter throughout their length. The average fiber diameter in the inner and outer regions was found to be in the range of 130–225 nm & 115–180 nm, respectively, under the different process parameters.