Hybrid 2D nanofibers based on poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene matrix and poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) as functional agents

Abstract

Template smart inorganic polymers within an organic polymeric matrix to form hybrid nanostructured materials are a unique approach to induce novel multifunctionality. In particular, the fabrication of one‐dimensional materials via electrospinning is an advanced tool, which has gained success in fulfilling the purpose to fabricate two‐dimensional nanostructured materials. We have explored the formation of novel hybrid nanofibers by co‐spinning of poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) Fe A [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4CH2PHBH2)} n] and Fe B [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4PHBH2)} n] with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polystyrene (PS). Fe A and Fe B contain main‐group elements and a ferrocene moiety as pendent group and have different properties compared to their only carbon‐containing counterparts. The use of PEO and polystyrene provided a matrix to spin those inorganic polymers as hybrid nanofibers which were collected in the form of a nonwoven mat. They were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and IR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the polymers have been checked by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). 1H, 31P, and 11B NMR and IR spectroscopy revealed the nature and types of interactions of the components after co‐spinning. The SEM micrographs identify the underlying unidirectional morphology of the generated hybrid nanofibers. Nonetheless, the DSC and TGA confirmed the significant boost toward the thermal stability of the resultant multifunctional fibers. It is believed that these unique types of multifunctional electrospun nanofibers will open new avenues toward the next generation of miniaturized devices.

Advances in Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

“…Nanofibers exhibited an average diameter ranging from 623 nm to 478 nm for Fe A/PS and Fe B/PS blends, respectively. The average diameter of nanofibers, prepared from the solution blended with PEO, had an average diameter of 525 nm and 491 nm for Fe A/PEO and Fe B/PEO blends, respectively [ 139 ]. Thermal analysis using TGA showed that pristine inorganic polymers had remarkable thermal stability, especially for nanofibers containing Fe A/PS and Fe B/PS blends.…”

Ester-Functionalised Ferrocene based Polyvinylbenzyl Chloride Nanofibre as a Decyanidating Agent

“…Electrospun nano bers afford wide varieties of applications due to its' 3-dimensional well assembled long length; positioning and orientation, as desired [18]. Also, nanosized bres are entrenched with an increased surface area [19], and reactivity, [20] especially providing more porous spongy material for improved chemical reactivity [21]. It has been established that nanoporous hybrid materials are highly e cient sorbents and their interfacial chemistry can be ne-tuned to selectively sequester any speci c target species [22].…”

Smart Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers Functionalized with Ligand-Free Titanium Nitride (TiN) Nanoparticles for Tissue Engineering

“…Here, hybrid nanofibers fabricated via electrospinning can provide numerous advantages over counterparts prepared using conventional techniques, including the possibility of using bio-degradable natural or synthetic polymers [ 4 , 5 ] or conductive polymers such as poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) (when blended with traditional synthetic polymer such as polystyrene) [ 6 ], good control of nanofiber dimensions, and capability of incorporating multiple drugs (even if they are hydrophobic) [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. These attractive properties stimulate the development of novel nanofiber formulations and their functionalization for a variety of applications ranging from antimicrobial action to biosensing and tissue grafting [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”