Preparation, phase transformation and microstructure of Zr Ti1−O2 (x= 0.1–0.9) fine fibers

Abstract Zr x Ti 1− x O 2 ( x = 0.1–0.9) fibers were prepared by the sol–gel dry-spinning method. Polyacetylacetonatozirconium (PAZ) and tetrabutyl titanate (C 16 H 36 O 4 Ti) were used as raw materials. The green fibers were obtained from the amorphous spinnable solution and then heat-treated to convert into polycrystalline fibers. The main phase changes from TiO 2 to zirconium titanate (ZT) and then tetragonal ZrO 2 with increasing ZrO 2 content. The crystallization temperature varied with the molar ratio of Zr:Ti. The heat-treated fibers at 1050 °C have few pores and no cracks with diameters of 10–20μm and lengths of 1–5 cm.