In this study, sol-gel derived SiO2 fibers were prepared by mixing tetraethyl orthosilicate, ethanol, water and hydrochloric acid. Fibrous SiO2 was drawn by using a viscous solution. Dried gel fibers were final heat-treated at 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1300degreesC for 1 h in air. Crystallinity of the SiO2 fiber after annealing was measured by X-ray diffraction analysis. A field emission-scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope were used to evaluate surface properties. SiO2 fiber heat-treated at high temperature, i.e., 1300degreesC, exhibited inhomogeneous surface structure. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.