Zirconia-Doped Alumina Submicron Fibers with Compressibility and High-Temperature Resistance Prepared by Solution Blow Spinning for Thermal Insulation

In this study, ceramic precursor fibers were prepared by a simple solution blowing spinning (SBS) method, and compressible, heat-resistant zirconia-doped alumina (ZDA) submicrometer fiber mats with a diameter of 400–800 nm were obtained by subsequent calcination. By doping ZrO2 in alumina fibers via the solution route, it can be confirmed by the analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Raman spectra, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images that the nano-t-ZrO2 formed at 1000 °C could retard the phase transition of Al2O3 from γ-phase to α-phase at high temperatures and effectively inhibit the growth of α-Al2O3 grains, then the consequent deterioration of mechanical properties and thermal stability could be alleviated. As a result, the ZDA submicrometer fiber mats exhibited improved compressibility and flexibility. The ZDA submicrometer fiber mats had thermal stability from −196 °C (liquid nitrogen) to above 1000 °C, making them suitable candidates for thermal insulation in extremely low-temperature environments and high-temperature industries.