Continuous alumina gel fibers by sol-gel method using glycolic acid, aluminum nitrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone

Continuous alumina fibers were prepared by sol-gel method. The spinning sol was obtained by mixing aluminum nitrate, glycolic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone with a weight ratio of 10:3:1.5. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the properties of the gel and ceramic fibers. The fibers with a uniform diameter and smooth surface were obtained by sintering at 1473K, and its main phase was indentified as a-Al2O3.