Fabrication of zeolite hollow fibers by coaxial electrospinning

A study was conducted, to demonstrate the fabrication of zeolite hollow fibers, by employing the coaxial electrospinning technique. The coaxial electrospinning technique involved the use of high voltage electric field, to induce the ejection of a liquid jet of charged and high viscosity solution through a spinneret. Molecular sieve SBA-15 and electroluminescent polymer MEH-PPV composite fibers were prepared for conducting the study. A suspension of silicalite-1 nanoparticles in poly(vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) solution served as the outer fluid, while parafin oil acted as the inner liquid in the study. Silicalite-1 nanocrystals were prepared, by using tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH), as the template. The coaxial electrospinning technique was used to fabricate zeolite hollow fibers, as it offered significant flexibility and control for fabricating the architecture of microfibers.