Synthesis of zirconium sols and fibers by electrolysis of zirconium oxychloride

A spinnable zirconium sol is obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing ZrOCl2·8H2O, Y(NO3)·6H2O and H2SO4. The effects of reactant concentration, electric current density and electrolysis temperature on the formation of zirconium sol and its spinnability have been studied. The green fibers and those sintered at different temperatures are characterized by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques.