Channel microstructure and thermal insulation mechanism of sepiolite mineral nanofibers

The longitudinal and cross sectional TEM images of sepiolite mineral nanofibers were prepared by cutting in the direction parallel and perpendicular to nanofibers, and the channel microstructure of sepiolite nanofibers was studied. The thermal insulation mechanism of sepiolite nanofibers was analyzed according to the diagrammatic sketch obtained from the above experimental method. The results showed that many discontinuously connected bending shape channels with about 23-26 nm in diameter existed in the center region of nanofibers, and many discontinuously connected irregular micropores and mesopores with the size of about 1-9 nm existed on the wall of nanofibers. The main reasons for the formation of channel microstructure in sepiolite nanofibers were their minerogenetic conditions and the interaction between acid and high-speed airflow in the process of nanofibers preparation, and bubbles in the hydrotherm played a significant role in the microstructure formation. The thermal insulation performance of sepiolite nanofibers could be attributed to obstructive and infrared radiative thermal insulation.