The absorbance of liquids and compounds with various degrees of hydrophilicity into electrospun fabrics and conventional fabrics was measured. Electrospun cellulose and poly(lactic acid) fabrics had comparable fiber diameters and pore spacings between fibers. Woven cotton and polyester [poly(ethylene terephthalate)] fabrics had pore spacings between fibers 10-20 times larger than the electrospun fabrics. The absorbance of liquids and chemicals with various degrees of water/octanol solubility onto the hydrophobic [poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid)] and hydrophilic (cellulose and cotton) fabrics was compared. Both the surface chemistry of the fibers and the pore size in the fabrics were found to affect the liquid uptake, with smaller pores and similar chemistry resulting in the greatest liquid absorbance. The absorbance of chemical compounds also increased with decreasing fabric pore size, increasing surface-to-volume ratio, and compatible surface chemistry of the fabric.

Non-woven fabrics made from fibres with submicron diameters have extremely high surface-to-volume ratios, which can be tailored and used in a variety of applications. In our research laboratories, fabrics have been made by the electrospinning process. The fabrication method can be adjusted to control the pore spacing between fabrics by controlling the density of fibre collection. By combining dissimilar materials including cellulose nanocrystals, nanoclay and biotin within the nano fibres, we have been able to adjust the strength and the surface properties of the fabrics. Fabrics have been created that can selectively capture biohazards from liquids and particles or volatile organic compounds from air.