Modification and Functionalization of Fibers Formed by Electrospinning: A Review

Abstract

The development of new materials with specific functionalities for certain applications has been increasing with the advent of nanotechnology. A technique widely used for this purpose is electrospinning, because control of several parameters involved in the process can yield nanoscale fibers. In addition to the production of innovative and small-scale materials, through structural, chemical, physical, and biological modifications in the fibers produced in electrospinning, it is possible to obtain specific properties for a given application. Thus, the produced fibers can serve different purposes, such as in the areas of sensors, catalysis, and environmental and medical fields. Given this context, this article presents a review of the electrospinning technique, addressing the parameters that influence the properties of the fibers formed and some techniques used to modify them as specific treatments that can be conducted during or after electrospinning. In situ addition of nanoparticles, changes in the configuration of the metallic collector, use of alternating current, electret fibers, core/shell method, coating, electrospray-coating, plasma, reinforcing composite materials, and thermal treatments are some of the examples addressed in this work. Therefore, this work contributes to a better comprehension of some of the techniques mentioned in the literature so far.

Fabrication of Mechanically Enhanced, Suturable, Fibrous Hydrogel Membranes

“…The aim of this work was to develop electrospun fibrous membranes from poly(vinyl-alcohol) with the potential to be used in clinical or surgical applications. From a biocompatibility point of view, PVA is already regarded as a suitable material for humans, and it can be found in several market-available products, for example, as drug capsules [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. From a surgical point of view, poly(vinyl alcohol) exhibits anti-adhesive properties, which could limit the unregulated development of granulation tissue and postoperative adhesions that lead to complications [ 16 ].…”

“…In this regard, PVA hydrogels have been the focus of many researchers as they provide an excellent medium for drug delivery while also being non-toxic, easy to manufacture, and low-cost [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. However, due to their poor mechanical performance, further application possibilities are limited.…”

“…One of the most prominent polymers examined in current biomaterial research is poly (vinyl-alcohol) (PVA) [ 15 , 16 ], a synthetic, water-soluble, thermoplastic polymer that is nontoxic exhibits biocompatibility and, under certain conditions, biodegradability [ 17 ]. PVA is known for several successful biomedical applications, including drug capsule components, contact lenses, drug carrier systems, and others [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. PVA has been investigated before as a potential hernia mesh [ 9 , 16 ] due to its favourable anti-adhesive properties, but unfortunately, due to its poor mechanical performance, it has been put aside while researchers concentrated on other applications.…”

Encapsulation with Natural Polymers to Improve the Properties of Biostimulants in Agriculture

“…Electrospray is a technique derived from electrospinning. Electrospinning is a physical process in which polymer fibers are drawn by the action of an electric field without the need to apply any other additional mechanical energy [ 20 ]. In electrospinning, the polymer is held in a syringe (molten or in solution) connected to a positively charged metal tip with the desired diameter, and a collector that serves as an anode where the fibers are deposited.…”

Electrospun Silica-Polyacrylonitrile Nanohybrids for Water Treatments

“…Many research groups have been working on fabricating PAN-based composite nan-ofibers [ 20 ]. Expanding on that, electrospinning can be utilized to encapsulate all kinds of molecules, such as small-size chemical molecules [ 21 , 22 ]; drugs [ 23 ]; proteins and peptides [ 24 ]; nutrition and nanoparticles in monolithic core-shell, tri-layer core-shell, and other complicated nanostructures. However, limited efforts have been devoted to the addition of inorganic particles in a polymeric solution for creating hybrid nanofibers, as well as their influence on the working processes and potential applications.…”