Structural characterization of electrospun ZrO2-based catalytic nanofibers modified with B2O3 and their performance in bromination reaction of phenol red

Abstract

Porosity and thermal stability are the main constraints that determine the performance of zirconia (ZrO₂) for a wide range of applications, including adsorption, catalysis, filtration, etc. Here, we have proposed the rational design of electrospun ZrO₂ nanofibers (NFs) with high surface areas and good thermal stability. Water vapor pre-treatment was used to modify the surface structure of the NFs with the removal of soft templates at a lower temperature. In addition, amorphous B₂O₃ was introduced into the ZrO₂ NFs to improve the thermal stability of the porous structure. The as-prepared NFs had high surface area of 380 m²/g and even 300 m²/g after heat treatment at 450 °C. The catalytic activity of modified ZrO₂ NFs as support materials in bromination reaction of phenol red was tested. And a high specific bromination activity of 3.02 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ was obtained. This work could provide promising strategies for preparing electrospun porous oxide NFs with high surface area and good thermal stability in order to optimize performance.

Graphical Abstract