Abstract
A solution‐phase synthesis of silica fibers is demonstrated. Silica fibers with length up to 50 μm and diameter ≈ 300 nm were synthesized. Fiber structure was characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda (BJH) pore size and volume analysis. Fiber reinforced polymer composite films were made and investigated to demonstrate the use of these fibers as a reinforce material. A polymer composite film having 6% of silica fibers showed 38% and 16% increase in the Young's modulus and the yield point, respectively, when compared to the Young's modulus and yield point of the polymer alone. Composite films had quite good visible transmittance (>90%).
