Electrospinning preparation and characterization of polyoxometalate fibers

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/K7[SiW11O39Co(H3P2-O7)] hybrid fine fiber mats (PVA/SiW11Co-P2O7) were prepared through electrospinning technique. After calcinations of PVA/SiW11Co-P2O7 at 500°C for 8 h, pure SiW11Co-P2O7 fine fibers were obtained with the Keggin structure keeping unchanged. The fiber mats were characterized by IR, ESR, PXRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The average diameter of the fibers is about 250 nm. The SiW11Co-P2O7 fibers showed color change when absorbing and desorbing moisture.