Fabrication and characterization of MnTiO3 nanofibers by sol-gel assisted electrospinning

Manganese titanate (MnTiO3) nanofibers were successfully synthesized by sol-gel assisted electrospinning for the first time by calcination of polyvinylacetate (PVAc)/manganese acetate/titanium(IV)isopropoxide composite fibers at 800-1000 degrees C. MnTiO3 nanofibers with diameter of 300-400 nm were obtained after calcination. The fibers were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD results showed that the crystalline phase of MnTiO3 began at 900 degrees C; a small amount of the rutile TiO2 phase was observed. The SEM images revealed that as-prepared composite nanofibers have smooth surfaces and nanofibers which became rough after calcinations. The calcination temperature had an effect on the morphology and crystalline phases. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.