Electrospun zeolite-Y fibers: Fabrication and morphology analysis

Abstract

Zeolite is an interesting microporous material. It has potential applications ranging from catalysts for petroleum refining to gas sensing. Recently, fibrous form of zeolite has attracted much attention due to its high aspect ratio and promising performances. In the present work, we report the fabrication of zeolite-Y fibers through the electrospinning method. Zeolite-Y fibers were electrospun into fibers using a precursor of zeolite particles and polyvinylpyrrolidone solution with different concentrations. An optimum concentration was then studied in details with respect to fiber morphology. The solution was electrospun with a constant flow of rate 0.5 ml/h under different electrospinning voltages (10–28 kV) and nozzle to collector distances (10 cm and 15 cm). The fibers were characterized for their morphology using scanning electron microscopy. Microscopic analysis revealed that fiber diameter and fiber continuity were greatly influenced by the process parameters. The electrospinning technique gave flexibility and control over the formed fiber morphology. An optimum combination of the process parameters resulted in coherent and continuous zeolite fibers. The fabrication of zeolite-Y fibers through electrospinning opens new doors for further exploration with respect to fibrous zeolites for potential new applications.