Synthesis of aluminium oxide nanoflakes on hollow periphery by hydrothermal coating using electrospun poly(acrylnitrile) nanofibres template

The authors report on one-dimensional (1D) aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoflakes fabrication on hollow periphery by using a simple hydrothermal corrosion method on the aluminium foil. The authors used the electrospun poly(acrylnitrile) (PAN) nanofibres as a template on aluminium foil to obtain 1D Al₂O₃ nanoflakes structure. Two important experimental parameters were governed in forming the 1D Al₂O₃ nanoflakes; first the temperature and second the duration of the heating time. Field emission scanning electron microscopy image revealed that the formation of Al₂O₃ nanoflakes structure coated on the hollow periphery. Based on experimental findings, the authors propose a possible mechanism for the formation of Al₂O₃ nanoflakes on electrospun PAN nanofibres with and without aluminium foil substrates.