Electrospun ZrO2 fibers obtained from polyvinyl alcohol/zirconium n-propoxide composite fibers processed through halide free sol–gel route using acetic acid as a stabilizer

• Novel processing route for the preparation of bead-free zirconia fibers.
• Stabilized sol of Zr n-propoxide synthesized by acetic acid and HNO3 acid addition.
• Significant effect of process parameters on the diameter of composite fibers.
• Retainment of fibrous morphology during the heat-treatment of composite fibers.
• Heat treated zirconia fibers show tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation.

Electrospun ZrO2 fibers have been prepared by heat treating the composite fibers of polyvinyl alcohol and zirconium n-propoxide precursors. Composite fibers prepared from acetic acid stabilized electrospun solution show non-beaded behaviour and possess diameter in the range of 130–440 nm. Fibers have been characterized by XRD, SEM and AFM measurements. Tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation takes place during the heat treatment of composite fibers up to 1050 °C without the morphology degradation.

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