| abstract |
Nanofibers are fabricated in a continuous process by introducing a polymer solution into a dispersion medium, which flows through a conduit and shears the dispersion medium. Liquid strands, streaks or droplets of the polymer solution are continuously shear-spun into elongated fibers. An inorganic precursor may be introduced with the polymer solution, resulting in fibers that include inorganic fibrils. The resulting composite inorganic/polymer fibers may be provided as an end product. Alternatively, the polymer may be removed to liberate the inorganic fibrils, which may be of the same or smaller cross-section as the polymer fibers and may be provided as an end product. |