Electrospinning preparation and anti-infrared radiation performance of silica/titanium dioxide composite nanofiber membrane

Silica/titanium dioxide (SiO2/TiO2) composite nanofiber membranes with different TiO2 content were prepared with the technology of electrospinning using ethyl orthosilicate, butyl titanate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as silicon titanium sources and spinning aids. TGA, XRD, SEM and FT-IR were used to analyze the thermal decomposition process, phase composition, microscopic morphology and infrared properties of the products. The study showed that with the increase of the calcination temperature, the TiO2 phase gradually changed from amorphous to anatase structure. Above 900 °C, a sample containing rutile TiO2 with a higher refractive index was obtained. Simultaneously, the continuity of the sample deteriorated, and the mechanical properties deteriorated. The study found that after calcination at 900 °C, the fiber membrane with a TiO2 content of 12% had the lowest cost and the best overall performance, with tensile strength being 3.09 MPa, and thermal conductivity at 500 °C being 0.0899 W m-1 K-1, which is 20% lower than that of pure SiO2 fiber membrane. This research provides a reference for the development of high temperature insulation materials with good flexibility.