The Synthesis of Boron Carbide Ceramic via Electrospinning Technique

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and boric acid (BA) were mixed in an aqueous medium by heating in order to prepare a PVA/BA hybrid material. The viscosity and pH values of the PVA/BA hybrid material mixed in various proportions were determined. Then the hybrid polymer was electrospun to give dimensions to fibers. The FT-IR spectra of these fibers revealed that BA chemically reacted with PVA and formed B-O-C bonds. The fibers were first calcified at 500 degrees C and then the calcified products were pelleted and exposed to the sintering process at 1300 degrees C. The XRD peaks of the sintered product were seen at 2 theta = 34.7 and 37.7 degrees verified the formation of boron carbide. The study proved that it was possible to use sub-micron fibers for the production of sub-micron boron carbide material.