Fabrication and characterization of Y2Si2O7 fibers prepared by electrospinning

Ceramic fibers have played an important role in the thermal protection field of aerospace vehicles at high-temperature over the past decades. In this work, Y ₂Si ₂O ₇ precursor fibers were prepared by electrospinning and characterized. The spinning solution consisted of yttrium nitrate, tetraethyl orthosilicate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The microstructure and elements distribution of fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The decomposition of organic components and crystallization process of yttrium silicate were explored by thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry. The phase composition of fibers was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The results showed the fibers were composed of uniform tiny grains after calcined at 1000 °C and the phase of the fibers was α-Y ₂Si ₂O ₇ . The size of grains increased with increasing calcination temperature and the intact fibrous structure was maintained. The average diameter of the precursor fibers was 1383 ± 345 nm and decreased to 786 ± 171 nm after calcined at 1300 ℃. Elements distribution was uniform in the fibers, confirming a good homogeneity of the fibers.