Alumina nanofiber

Catalog	ACMA00029800
Description	The nanofiber can show peculiar shapes. Sometimes they can show noncrystalline order, assuming e.g. a pentagonal symmetry or a helicoidal (spiral) shape. Electrons zigzag along pentagonal tubes and spiral along helicoidal tubes. The lack of crystalline order is due to the fact that a nanofiber is periodic only in one dimension (along its axis). Hence it can assume any order in the other directions (in plane) if this is energetically favorable. Arrays of nanofiber / nanowhiskers are a new type of nanostructures that exhibit quasi-1D characteristics. Metallic nanofiber / nanowhiskers and multi-layered nanofiber / nanowhiskers have been successfully fabricated before.
Application	There are many applications where nanowires may become important in electronic, opto-electronic and nanoelectromechanical devices, as additives in advanced composites, for metallic interconnects in nanoscale quantum devices, as field-emittors and as leads for biomolecular nanosensors. Also optical, sensing, solar cells, magnetic, and electronic device applications
Material	Alumina
Notes	Before using nanofibers, the user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use, and user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith.
Packaging	Usually to customer specification
Specification	Presently diameters nominally as small as 12 nanometers

Case Study

Efficient Water Purification with Electrospun Alumina Nanofibers

Mahapatra, A., et al. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 52.4 (2013): 1554-1561.

Challenge: Industrial water systems are in need of inexpensive and effective ways to remove harmful chromium(VI) and fluoride, for which existing adsorbents have shown slow kinetics, pH-sensitive selectivity and weak removal capability.
Solution:The development of electrospun alumina nanofibers for fast and selective removal of targeted ions. This was achieved through electrospinning of PVP/aluminum acetate precursor, followed by calcination for pure α-alumina.
Key Results:
· The removal of chromium(VI) and fluoride ions were significant at pH = 5 and pH = 7, respectively, with chromium(VI) and fluoride maximum removals reaching 70% and 50%, respectively.
· An increase in initial chromium(VI) concentrations led to a rise in the percentage of adsorption due to a greater number of available adsorption sites.
· The maximum uptake capacities for chromium(VI) and fluoride ions on the alumina nanofiber surface were recorded at 6.8 mg/g and 1.2 mg/g, respectively.
· Adsorption equilibrium was reached in just 1 hour, with the kinetics following a pseudosecond-order rate model. Isotherm analysis revealed that the adsorption of both chromium(VI) and fluoride ions onto the alumina nanofiber surface fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model across all studied concentration ranges, indicating a heterogeneous adsorption process.

Strengthening 3D Printed Composites with Shear-Aligned Alumina Nanofibers

Yunus, Doruk Erdem, et al. Nanotechnology 27.49 (2016): 495302.

Challenge: Enhance the mechanical properties of SLA 3D printed polymers through the integration of alumina nanofibers (Aluminum Oxide Nanowires, AONWs) via shear-induced alignment method.
Solution: A digital light processing (DLP)-based SLA printer was modified with a linear oscillatory actuation mechanism (LOAM) to generate shear flow, aligning the AONWs within the resin. Printed wall patterns guided alignment direction on the x-y plane. The nanofibers were surface-treated with a silane coupling agent to improve dispersion and bonding.
Key Results:
· Tensile strength improved by ~28% at 5 wt% AONW loading.
· Controlled alignment was achieved via shear rate and wall pattern design.
· TEM analysis confirmed uniform dispersion and orientation.
· Shear rate significantly influenced alignment, while frequency and loading had minimal effect.
Conclusion: This method demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable approach to align nanofibers in SLA printing, enabling enhanced mechanical properties and customized anisotropy. It's ideal for aerospace, structural components, electronics, and flexible materials requiring high strength and directional control.