Hierarchical organic-inorganic composites synthesized by electrospinning fibers within a non-conductive and a conductive pre-ceramic gel

A method of making a fiber-reinforced ceramic, the method comprising:

• electrospinning a water-insoluble organic polymer fiber;
• collecting the electrospun water-insoluble organic polymer fiber in a collector, wherein the collector is a liquid or gel, to disperse the electrospun water-insoluble organic polymer fiber in the collector;
• adding inorganic ceramic precursors to the collector, wherein the inorganic ceramic precursors are added to the collector before, during, or after collecting the electrospun water-insoluble organic polymer fiber in the collector;
• adding an inorganic curing agent into the collector;
• and
• curing the inorganic ceramic precursors and the curing agent to form an organic polymer fiber-reinforced ceramic.