Atomic layer deposition on electrospun polymer fibers as a direct route to Al2O3 microtubes with precise wall thickness control

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 on electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) microfiber templates is demonstrated as an effective and robust strategy by which to fabricate long and uniform metal-oxide microtubes. The wall thickness is shown to be precisely controlled within a molecular layer or so by adjusting the number of ALD cycles utilized. By judicious selection of the electrospinning and ALD parameters, designer tubes of various sizes and inorganic materials can be synthesized.