Nanohybrid PVA/ZrO2 and PVA/Al2O3 electrospun mats

Fibrous poly(vinyl alcohol)/zirconia and poly(vinyl alcohol)/alumina nanohybrids were obtained by electrospinning technique, the applied voltage ranging between 12 and 16 kV. The actual nanofiller content ranged between 2 and 9 wt%. Electrospun nanohybrids consisted of uniform fibers free of defects. The average fiber diameter was around 600 nm for all electrospun mats. Nano and/or submicrometric ceramic agglomerates were observed onto and inside the overall polymeric fibers. Nanohybrid mats containing the highest amounts of nanoparticles showed a significant reduction of crystallinity. All electrospun nanohybrids evidenced improved mechanical properties with respect to the neat PVA mat. The tensile modulus of PVA/Al2O3 and PVA/ZrO2 mats reached 350 ± 40 MPa and 190 ± 55 MPa, respectively, the value for the neat PVA being 90 ± 20 MPa.