Nanofibers as new-generation materials: From spinning and nano-spinning fabrication techniques to emerging applications

Abstract

Nanofiber unique characteristics and potential applications offer innovative strategies and opportunities for sustainable energy production, and for creative solutions to biomedical, healthcare, and environmental problems. This review summarizes the history and development of nanofiber technology, their unique properties, fabrication techniques (using spinning and nonspinning approaches), and emerging applications in energy harvesting and storage, environmental protection and improvement, and biomedical technology and healthcare.Nanofibers are currently used as electrode and membrane materials for batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and solar cells. Nanofiber membranes are also successfully used for ultra-high air filtration, wastewater treatment, water purification, and blood purification at low pressure. This review will describe the different types of nanostructured fibers (e.g., solid, mesoporous, hollow, core-shell nanofibers) fabricated from natural and synthetic polymers, metal and metal oxides, carbon-based, inorganic-organic hybrid nanofibers and their potential applications. Moreover, it will highlight the current and future research needs in nanofiber-based materials to improve and broaden their applications and commercialization.

Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile‐Derived Co or Fe Containing Nanofibre Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction at the Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell Cathode

“…[1][2][3] The main advantages of this method are the low cost, mass production potential and the efficient control over nanofibre composition and morphology. [1,2,4] Historically, the first patent for producing continuous fibres via electrospinning dates back to 1902, while the theoretical foundation of electrospinning was established in the second half of the 1960s. [1] The designation of the method as "electrospinning" was promoted by Doshi and Reneker at the end of the last century [5] and the first commercially available industrial-scale electrospinning device Nanospider™ was developed in 2006 by Elmarco.…”

“…[1] The designation of the method as "electrospinning" was promoted by Doshi and Reneker at the end of the last century [5] and the first commercially available industrial-scale electrospinning device Nanospider™ was developed in 2006 by Elmarco. [1] In addition to the latter, the company ESFIL TEHNO AS has currently more than 50 years of experience in the production and development of electrospun polymer materials. [6] According to the literature, more than 200 different polymers [7] had been successfully employed for electrospinning already ten years ago and this number has further increased up to this day.…”

“…[6] According to the literature, more than 200 different polymers [7] had been successfully employed for electrospinning already ten years ago and this number has further increased up to this day. [1] The benefits of the electrospun fibre material compared to the corresponding bulk material can be more versatile surface functionalisation, larger surface area, lower density, tunable porosity, small fibre diameter and better directional and mechanical properties. [1,8] Due to these properties, electrospun nanofibres have a vast variety of possible applications in different fields such as biotechnology, air filtration, wastewater treatment etc.…”

“…[1] In addition, they have also been studied as electrode and membrane materials in energy production, conversion and storage devices (e. g. supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, fuel cells). [1][2][3][4]8,9] The fuel cells are one of the potential alternative energy conversion devices for the worldwide demand for cleaner energy. [8,10,11] In a fuel cell, the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy via electrochemical oxidation of the fuel (e. g. H 2 ) at the anode.…”

Composite Nanofibers: Recent Progress in Adsorptive Removal and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes

“…Zeolite, an aluminosilicate framework obtained from nature, can be chosen as a suitable filler material in the polymeric nanofibrous matrix due to its porous structure and exchangeable cation feature [32]. Its 3D structure with negatively charged lattice, high specific surface area, and competitive price makes zeolite an appealing choice for dye adsorption.…”