Fast Solution Blow Spinning of Lotus-Leaf-Inspired SiO₂ Nanofiber Sponge for High Efficiency Purification

Massive production of SiO₂ nanofibers with both high durability and exceptional performance remains a significant challenge. Herein, a novel approach was introduced to achieve the massive production of SiO₂ nanofibers with lotus-leaf-inspired surfaces by combining solution blowing spinning (SBS) and the polymer-derived ceramics method. Based on the SBS technique, three types of precursor nanofiber products were fast spined with methyl silsesquioxane polymer and polymethyl hydrogen siloxane employed as Si sources. The flow rate of the SBS spined Si-based ceramic nanofibers was enhanced to 20 mL·h^-1. Furthermore, through the integration of hydrophobic-oleophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles into the precursor solution, SiO₂ nanofibers with lotus-leaf nanoprotrusion surfaces were fabricated. Nanoparticle-decorated SiO₂ fibers demonstrated excellent hydrophobicity (138.3°), compression resilience (∼60%), proficiency in organic pollutant adsorption, high-temperature resistance (∼1100 °C), and outstanding thermal insulation properties (thermal conductivity of 0.0165 W·(m·K)^-1).