An Efficient Strategy for Reinforcing Flexible Ceramic Membranes.

Mao, Xue; Hong, Jie; Wu, Yue-Xia; Zhang, Qing; Liu, Jia; Zhao, Li; Li, Hai-Hong; Wang, Yao-Yu et al. · Nano Lett · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Herein, we present a facile reinforcement method for the large-scale fabrication of highly flexible, mechanically stable, temperature-resistant ceramic lightweight membranes based on the cross-linked assembly of zirconia-silica (ZrO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>) nanofibrous and montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets through electrospinning and a subsequent calcination process. The resulting MMT@ZrO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> membranes exhibit high flexibility with a bending rigidity of 0.2 cN mm<sup>-1</sup>, robust mechanical performance with a tensile strength of up to 1.83 MPa, robust fire resistance, and temperature-invariant mechanical stability from -196 to 1000 °C. The thermal superinsulation with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.026 W m<sup>-1</sup> K<sup>-1</sup> and the improved mechanical strength can be attributed to the cross-linked interfacial interaction between the ZrO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> nanofibers and the MMT nanosheets. Additionally, a firefighter uniform with MMT@ZrO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> membranes inside features a superior thermal protective property up to the A2 level (combined flame and radiant exposure) and an excellent fire resistance of up to 1000 °C, which is ideal for next-generation firefighter uniform manufacturing.