Characterization of electrospun zinc oxide nanofibers

ZnO nanofibers were prepared by sol-gel processing and electrospinning technique. Poly (vinyl acetate) (PVA) and zinc acetate were used as precursors of PVA/ zinc acetate composite fibers. The composite and calcined nanofibers were characterized by Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. After calcination of PVA/zinc acetate composite nanofibers at 400, 600, and 800°C in air for 2 hours with heating rate of ~4°C/min, ZnO nanofibers were obtained successfully. The ZnO nanofiber diameters were 207, 135, 158, and 200nm before and after calcination at 400, 600, 800°C, respectively. The diameter of fibers reduced firstly and then increased with the rising calcination temperature. The possible mechanism of it is also discussed.