Hollow fibers of yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) prepared by calcination of electrospun composite fibers

8YSZ fibers were synthesized by calcination of PVP/zirconium oxychloride/yttrium nitrate composite fibers (PVP-Precursor) obtained by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the 8YSZ fibers are hollow and the gas released during organic binder decomposition resulted in the formation of hollow center in fibers. Proper controlling heating rate is necessary to the formation of hollow structure. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the 8YSZ fibers have crystal structure of tetragonal phase. The hollow structure should make the fibers to have a higher resistance to sintering than solid fibers at elevated temperature. This result has important applications in catalytic combustion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.