11 February 2024 | Mahboubeh Ahmadi Bonakdar and Denis Rodrigue
Electrospinning is a simple and cost-effective method for producing nanofibers with high surface area and porous structures, ranging in diameter from nanometers to micrometers. This process uses an electrostatic field to control fiber dimensions and morphology through parameter optimization and specialized equipment. The review discusses the electrospinning process, parameters influencing it, and the morphological and structural aspects of electrospun fibers used in various applications. It also explores polymeric and non-polymeric materials used in electrospinning, the incorporation of fillers, and methods for scaling up production.
Nanofibers have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties and wide applications, including filtration, electronics, tissue engineering, and energy storage. Electrospinning, with its simple equipment and ability to produce continuous nanofibers, has become a practical method for nanofiber production. Early applications in the 1930s and 1950s led to the development of nanofiber-based products, and in the 1980s, commercial applications began. The 1990s marked a turning point as electrospinning's potential in various applications was recognized.
The review covers the principles of solution electrospinning, including the formation of a Taylor cone, jet behavior, and fiber solidification. It discusses parameters such as solution properties (concentration, viscosity, molecular weight, surface tension, and conductivity), process parameters (voltage, distance between needle and collector, flow rate, and collector type), and ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). These parameters significantly influence fiber morphology and properties.
The review also explores various fiber structures and morphologies, including aligned, core-shell, hollow, porous, and other specialized structures, produced through optimized electrospinning parameters and specialized equipment. Aligned structures are particularly important for anisotropic applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and sensors. Techniques like rotating collectors, parallel collectors, and magnetic fields are used to achieve precise fiber alignment.
The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing electrospinning parameters to achieve desired fiber properties and structures for various applications. It highlights the potential of electrospinning in producing nanofibers with tailored properties for advanced applications.Electrospinning is a simple and cost-effective method for producing nanofibers with high surface area and porous structures, ranging in diameter from nanometers to micrometers. This process uses an electrostatic field to control fiber dimensions and morphology through parameter optimization and specialized equipment. The review discusses the electrospinning process, parameters influencing it, and the morphological and structural aspects of electrospun fibers used in various applications. It also explores polymeric and non-polymeric materials used in electrospinning, the incorporation of fillers, and methods for scaling up production.
Nanofibers have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties and wide applications, including filtration, electronics, tissue engineering, and energy storage. Electrospinning, with its simple equipment and ability to produce continuous nanofibers, has become a practical method for nanofiber production. Early applications in the 1930s and 1950s led to the development of nanofiber-based products, and in the 1980s, commercial applications began. The 1990s marked a turning point as electrospinning's potential in various applications was recognized.
The review covers the principles of solution electrospinning, including the formation of a Taylor cone, jet behavior, and fiber solidification. It discusses parameters such as solution properties (concentration, viscosity, molecular weight, surface tension, and conductivity), process parameters (voltage, distance between needle and collector, flow rate, and collector type), and ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). These parameters significantly influence fiber morphology and properties.
The review also explores various fiber structures and morphologies, including aligned, core-shell, hollow, porous, and other specialized structures, produced through optimized electrospinning parameters and specialized equipment. Aligned structures are particularly important for anisotropic applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and sensors. Techniques like rotating collectors, parallel collectors, and magnetic fields are used to achieve precise fiber alignment.
The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing electrospinning parameters to achieve desired fiber properties and structures for various applications. It highlights the potential of electrospinning in producing nanofibers with tailored properties for advanced applications.