Fabrication, characterization and property of microfibrous polyoxometalates containing cobalt or nickel

In this paper, fibrous membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-2-K₈P₂W₁₇MO₆₁ (M = Co, Ni) were prepared by electrospinning technique. Calcining the fibrous membranes at 340 °C for 6 h, fibrous membranes of pure α-2-K₈P₂W₁₇CoO₆₁ and α-2-K₈P₂W₁₇NiO₆₁ were obtained, respectively. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that Dawson-Wells structure of the polyoxometalates was still remained in the fibrous membranes. Scanning electron microscopy images and diameter distribution curves of the fibrous membranes indicated that the average diameter of α-2-K₈P₂W₁₇CoO₆₁ fibers was about 145 nm, and α-2-K₈P₂W₁₇NiO₆₁ about 168 nm. The magnetic property of the fibrous membranes was investigated.