Coaxial Electrospinning Formation of Complex Polymer Fibers and their Applications

Abstract

The formation of fibers by electrospinning has experienced explosive growth in the past decade, recently reaching 4,000 publications and 1,500 patents per year. This impressive growth of interest is due to the ability to form fibers with a variety of materials, which lend themselves to a large and rapidly expanding set of applications. In particular, coaxial electrospinning, which forms fibers with multiple core−sheath layers from different materials in a single step, enables the combination of properties in a single fiber that are not found in nature in a single material. This article is a detailed review of coaxial electrospinning: basic mechanisms, early history and current status, and an in‐depth discussion of various applications (biomedical, environmental, sensors, energy, catalysis, textiles). We aim to provide readers who are currently involved in certain aspects of coaxial electrospinning research an appreciation of other applications and of current results.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Ampicillin Using PLA/TiO2 Hybrid Nanofibers Coated on Different Types of Fiberglass

“…Electrospinning is a versatile, cost-effective, and environmental friendly process currently used to produce continuous nanofibers for tissue engineering, sensors, water and air purification, etc. [16]. Also, electrospinning has been successfully used for synthesis of TiO 2 nanofibers by using solutions that contained poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and Ti(IV)-isopropoxide [17,18], polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and titanium tetraisopropoxide [19], polylactic acid (PLA), tetrabutyl titanate, and hexafluoroisopropanol [20].…”

Nylon-6/chitosan core/shell antimicrobial nanofibers for the prevention of mesh-associated surgical site infection

“…(1) fabricate electrospun membranes that incorporate a hydrophilic surface within a hydrophobic core into a single coresheath fiber, (2) encapsulate and protect sensitive substances from the outer environment by placing the drug within the core, (3) provide programmable release kinetics from the core of the fibers; e.g. to tailor for sustained release kinetics, while allowing (4) the controlled release of defined concentrations of pharmaceutical ingredients [11][12][13]. Further, by integrating a mechanically adapted polymer into the core of the fibers, it is also feasible to improve the mechanical behavior of the final construct.…”

A mini review on the generation of crimped ultrathin fibers via electrospinning: Materials, strategies, and applications

“…It is worth mentioning that the surface morphology and properties of electrospun fibers can be affected by (I) the working parameters of the electrospinning process represented by ambient parameters (relative humidity and temperature), solution parameters (polymer concentration, molecular weight, viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension), and processing parameters (flow rate, applied voltage, distance between the tip of the needle and the collector [DTC], collector type, and diameter of the needle); (II) electrospinning types; (III) composites; and (IV) postprocessing treatments …”