Flexible Al2O3/ZrO2 nanofibrous membranes for thermal insulation

Abstract

Developing ceramic materials for thermal insulation is vital for various applications. However, ceramics have been considered intrinsically rigid and brittle due to the limited crystallographic slips and structural collapse during service. Their lack of flexibility has hampered many high-end applications of ceramic materials. We developed flexible Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ nanofibrous membranes via sol–gel electrospinning and calcination. Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ nanofibrous membranes had flexibility from −196 °C to 1300 °C and low thermal conductivity (∼0.03166 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at room temperature). They also supported 1350-times their weight without suffering structual damage. Hence, Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ nanofibrous membranes could be used for thermal insulation in aerospace and industrial fields, and even in harsh environments.