Multigram preparation of tungsten microfibers via needle-less electrospinning of phosphotungstic acid

Metallic tungsten microfibers were prepared in a multigram yield by electrospinning from the aqueous phos-photungstic acid/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution in three steps. Green composite microfibers of H3PW12O40 /PVA were easily electrospun from precursor solutions on a Nanospider instrument with a cylindrical rotating electrode. Subsequent oxidation of the organic PVA matrix and decomposition of phosphotungstic acid in the air at 600 degrees C provided ceramic WO3/P2O5 fibers. Finally, prepared oxide fibers were reduced in a forming gas at-mosphere at temperatures up to 1000 degrees C. During the reduction, all phosphorus was removed, and pure metallic tungsten microfibers were produced.

Automated summary

Metallic tungsten microfibers were prepared via electrospinning in three steps using a solution of phosphotungstic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. Green composite microfibers of H3PW12O40/PVA were easily electrospun from precursor solutions using a Nanospider instrument. Subsequent oxidation and decomposition provided ceramic WO3/P2O5 fibers, which were then reduced to produce pure metallic tungsten microfibers.