Structural characterization of electrospun ZrO₂-based catalytic nanofibers modified with B₂O₃ and their performance in bromination reaction of phenol red

Porosity and thermal stability are the main constraints that determine the performance of zirconia (ZrO₂) for a wide range of applications, including adsorption, catalysis, filtration, etc. Here, we have proposed the rational design of electrospun ZrO₂ nanofibers (NFs) with high surface areas and good thermal stability. Water vapor pre-treatment was used to modify the surface structure of the NFs with the removal of soft templates at a lower temperature. In addition, amorphous B₂O₃ was introduced into the ZrO₂ NFs to improve the thermal stability of the porous structure. The as-prepared NFs had high surface area of 380 m²/g and even 300 m²/g after heat treatment at 450 °C. The catalytic activity of modified ZrO₂ NFs as support materials in bromination reaction of phenol red was tested. And a high specific bromination activity of 3.02 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ was obtained. This work could provide promising strategies for preparing electrospun porous oxide NFs with high surface area and good thermal stability in order to optimize performance.