LAUSR

Abstract Calcium zirconate fibers were produced by electrospinning and characterized in this work. The solution was prepared from zirconium and calcium salts, using polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) as processing aid. The decomposition of the organic fraction and crystallization of calcium zirconate were followed by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC). Raman Spectroscopy was used to measure the vibrational modes in the green as well as in the calcined fibers. The final phase composition was studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The fiber morphology was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation reaction of calcium zirconate was observed at about 740 °C. Highly crystalline fibers were obtained already at 800 °C, but the crystallinity and calcium zirconate yield improved when the temperature was increased to 1000 °C.