Search Results (1,385)

Sodium alginate (SA) has the advantages of good biocompatibility, water absorption, oxygen permeability, non-toxicity, and film-forming properties. SA is compounded with other materials to formulate a spinning solution. Subsequently, electrospinning is employed to fabricate nanofiber membranes. These membranes undergo cross-linking modification or hydrogel composite functionalization, yielding nanofiber composites exhibiting essential properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and antimicrobial activity. Consequently, these functionalized composites are widely utilized in tissue engineering, regenerative engineering, biological scaffolds, and drug delivery systems, among other biomedical applications. This work reviews the sources, characteristics, and electrospinning preparation methods of SA, with a focus on the application and research status of SA composite nanofibers in tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings, drug delivery, and other fields. It can be concluded that SA electrospun nanofibers have great development potential and application prospects in biomedicine, which could better meet the increasingly complex and diverse needs of tissue or wound healing. At the same time, the future development trend of SA composite nanofibers was prospected in order to provide some theoretical reference for the development of biomedical textiles and to promote its development in the direction of being green, safe, and efficient. Full article

Acne vulgaris is a chronic disease that occurs in the pilosebaceous units and ranks eighth in the global prevalence of all diseases. In its severe forms such as pustules, cysts, and nodules, acne can lead to permanent scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are often difficult to reverse in the short term and significantly affect patients’ psychological well-being and social interactions. Although a variety of pharmacological treatments are available, including retinoids, antibiotics, anti-androgens, benzoyl peroxide, and corticosteroids, the high recurrence rate and limited efficacy in scar prevention highlight the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Electrospinning technology has recently gained attention for fabricating nanofibrous patches with high porosity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These patches can offer antibacterial activity, absorb exudates, and provide mechanical protection, making them promising platforms for acne wound care. This review first outlines the pathophysiology of acne and the biological mechanisms underlying scar formation. We then present an overview of electrospinning techniques, commonly used polymers, and recent advancements in the field. Finally, we explore the potential of electrospun nanofibers loaded with mesenchymal stem cells or exosomes as next-generation therapeutic systems aimed at promoting scarless acne healing. Full article

This manuscript reviews the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their incorporation into polymeric nanofiber composites. It discusses various synthesis methods, emphasizing eco-friendly biological approaches over chemical and physical ones due to their cost-effectiveness and reduced toxicity. The review emphasizes the enhanced antimicrobial properties of AgNPs and their composites, particularly in electrospun nanofibers, for diverse biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications. It also covers the characterization, properties, and mechanisms of AgNPs, along with the advantages of combining them with polymers such as PVA and PEO, as well as cyclodextrin, to create novel functional nanocomposites. Full article

Pistacia lentiscus var. chia resin (Chios Mastic Gum—CMG) is a natural aromatic resin that has been utilized in traditional medicine for more than 2.5 millennia, as it exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, various quantities of Chios Mastic Gum (3.5, 6.5, and 10 wt%) were encapsulated in electrospun fibers of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) to develop functional fibrous mats with multiple potential applications. The morphological analysis of composite membranes was conducted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing the formation of uniform fibers and incremental diameter size in samples with a higher concentration of CMG. The encapsulation efficiency was assessed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and showed an exceptionally high loading efficiency (87–88%). The cytotoxicity of CMG-loaded nanofibers was tested in human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 and human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 using the MTT assay. In both cases, a high concentration of encapsulated CMG led to a statistically significant reduction in cell viability. Full article

Malignant melanoma is a highly metastatic skin cancer, representing about 5% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. Conventional chemotherapy often has limited effectiveness and severe systemic side effects. This study explores a localized, topical delivery system using cisplatin-loaded nanomembranes as a safer and more targeted alternative. Cell viability assays established the safe cisplatin concentrations for tissue culture. Gelatin-based nanomembranes incorporating cisplatin were fabricated via electrospinning. Biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy were tested by applying the membranes to cultured melanoma and normal skin cells. Controlled drug release profiles were evaluated by adjusting cross-linking times. Cisplatin concentration between 3.125 and 12.5 µg/mL were found safe. Nanomembranes with these doses effectively eliminated melanoma cells with minimal harm to healthy skin cells. Drug-free membranes showed high biocompatibility. Cross-linking duration allowed tunable and stable drug release. Cisplatin-loaded gelatin nanomembranes offer a promising topical therapy for melanoma, enhancing drug targeting while reducing systemic toxicity. This approach may serve as a cost-effective alternative to systemic treatments like immunotherapy. Future research will focus on in vivo testing and clinical application. Full article

Electrospun alginate nanofibers are emerging as versatile materials for biomedical, environmental, and packaging applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional tunability. However, the direct electrospinning of alginate remains a significant challenge, mainly due to its polyelectrolytic nature, rigid chain structure, and limited chain entanglement. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent strategies developed to overcome these limitations, including polymer blending, chemical modification, the addition of surfactants, multi-fluid techniques, and process optimization. We systematically discuss the integration of nanofibers with functional agents such as microorganisms, bioactive compounds, plant extracts, and nanoparticles, highlighting their potential in wound healing, active packaging, bioremediation, and controlled release systems. This review also examines the scalability of alginate electrospinning, summarizing recent patents, industrial solutions, and challenges related to the standardization of the process. Key knowledge gaps are identified, including the need for long-term stability studies, structure–function correlations, green processing approaches, and expansion into novel application domains beyond healthcare. Addressing these research directions will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of alginate nanofibers as sustainable, high-performance materials for industrial use. Full article

Herein, carbon nanofiber (CNF) was prepared by pyrolyzing electrospun cellulose nanofiber, which was further used to incorporate with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) to prepare metal-free photocatalyst (CNF/g-C₃N₄). CNF/g-C₃N₄ was then used to degrade bisphenol A (BPA) under visible light with the assistance of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). It was illustrated from the results that CNF with conjugated aromatic structure could significantly enhance the light absorption range and capability. At the existence of PMS, 0.5 g/L of CNF/g-C₃N₄ could efficiently degrade 0.05 mM of BPA within 45 min with a high total organic carbon removal rate of >70% under visible light. It was found that the reaction system could generate various reactive oxygen species (ROSs) including hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical and singlet oxygen for BPA degradation. Due to the existence of these species, the reaction system exhibited high performance adaptability towards abundant water matrices and high stability under consecutive runs. This work prospects a new strategy to develop a high-performance advanced oxidation system for quick organic pollutant degradation and mineralization. Full article

Food is fundamental to human survival, health, culture, and well-being. In response to the increasing demand for sustainable food preservation, chitosan (CS)-based electrospun nanofibers have emerged as promising materials due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and inherent antimicrobial properties. When combined with other biopolymers or bioactive compounds, CS-based nanofibers offer enhanced functionality for applications in food packaging, preservation, and additives. This review summarizes recent advances in the fabrication and performance of CS-polymer and CS-inorganic composite nanofibers, with a focus on their mechanical strength, thermal stability, barrier properties, and antimicrobial efficacy. The use of these nanofibers across a range of food categories—including vegetables, fruits, fresh-cut produce, dairy products, meat, seafood, and nuts—is examined. Beyond experimental approaches, the review also explores the growing role of computational simulations in predicting the mechanical strength, barrier performance, antimicrobial activity, and biodegradability of CS-based nanofibers. Key modeling techniques and simulation tools are summarized. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are discussed, underscoring the potential of CS-based electrospun nanofibers as sustainable and multifunctional solutions for modern food packaging. By integrating experimental advancements with computational insights, this review provides a comprehensive and forward-looking perspective on CS-based electrospun nanofibers for food packaging. Full article

In this study, multifunctional nanocomposite membranes were fabricated using biopolymeric polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose acetate (CA) composites via electrospinning. The hydrophobic nanocomposite membranes were reinforced with varying concentrations of silicon dioxide (silica/SiO₂) nanoparticles. The developed PLA–CA–SiO₂ nanofibrous membranes are characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE- energy-dispersive SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Various physical and mechanical properties of the bio-nanocomposite membrane, such as tensile testing, infrared thermal imaging, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), water contact angle, hydrostatic pressure resistance, and breathability are also investigated. The analysis revealed that a small concentration of silica nanoparticles improves the morphological, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of nanocomposite membranes. The addition of silica nanoparticles improves the UV (A & B), visible and infrared blocking efficiency while also enhancing the waterproofness of protective textiles. The PLA–CA–SiO₂ biopolymer nanocomposite membrane has a fibrous microstructure and demonstrated the tensile strength of 11.2 MPa, a Young’s modulus of 329 MPa, an elongation at break of 98.5%, a hydrostatic pressure resistance of 27 kPa, and a water contact angle of 143.7°. The developed electrospun composite membranes with improved properties provide strong potential to replace petroleum-based membranes with biopolymer-based alternatives, promising improved and wider usage for bio-related applications. Full article

Electrospun nanofibrous mats from bovine, porcine, and fish gelatin were systematically fabricated at varying concentrations (15, 20, 25, and 30 wt.%) to investigate the influence of molecular characteristics on morphology, crystallinity, mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and solubility. Optimal ranges of viscosity (0.08–1.47 Pa·s), surface tension (35–50 mN·m⁻¹), and electrical conductivity (0.18–1.42 mS·cm⁻¹) were determined to successfully produce homogeneous fibers. Bovine and porcine gelatin, characterized by higher molecular weight and greater proline/hydroxyproline content, exhibited thicker (up to 725 ± 41 nm at 30 wt.%) and less uniform nanofibers due to higher viscosity and surface tension, restricting polymer jet stretching. Conversely, fish gelatin, with lower molecular weight and limited proline/hydroxyproline content, produced significantly thinner (as low as 205 ± 28 nm at 20 wt.%) and more uniform nanofibers. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed distinct crystallinity transitions associated with triple-helix and amorphous structures, dependent on gelatin type and concentration, including the emergence of peaks near 7.9° and 20.1° (2θ) for bovine gelatin. Mechanical tests demonstrated superior tensile strength for bovine gelatin (up to 2.9 MPa at 30 wt.%), balanced properties for porcine gelatin, and exceptional elasticity for fish gelatin. Thermal analysis indicated concentration-dependent shifts in viscoelastic behavior and damping performance. Solubility studies showed rapid dissolution of low-concentration fish gelatin fibers, moderate stability for intermediate-concentration porcine gelatin, and excellent structural retention for high-concentration bovine gelatin. These results demonstrate the potential for tailored gelatin nanofiber design to meet specific functional requirements in biomedical applications. Full article

The present study aimed to optimize the extraction process for Rhodiola rosea root, then develop and optimize electrospun nanofiber systems containing extract to enhance the bioavailability of its active compounds, salidroside and rosarin. Using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach, nanofibers were prepared with varying ratios of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrins (HPαCD, HPβCD, HPγCD). The systems were comprehensively characterized in terms of morphology, content of active compounds, dissolution rate, permeability, mucoadhesion, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed that nanofiber formulations significantly improved the dissolution and permeability of salidroside and rosarin compared to the crude extract. The antioxidant properties were notably enhanced, while the anti-inflammatory activity varied depending on composition. The formulation containing 3 g HPβCD and 2.5 g PVP demonstrated the most favorable balance of functional and technological properties. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation matrix analysis confirmed that system composition strongly influenced the interrelationships between technological parameters and bioactivity. These findings indicate that electrospun nanofibers based on cyclodextrin-PVP matrices are a promising preclinical strategy for improving the delivery of Rhodiola rosea bioactives. Full article

Bionic synthesis technology has made significant breakthroughs in porous functional materials by replicating and optimizing biological structures. For instance, biomimetic titanium dioxide-coated carbon multilayer materials, prepared via biological templating, exhibit a hierarchical structure, abundant nanopores, and synergistic effects. Bionic mineralization further enhances microcapsules by forming a secondary inorganic wall, granting them superior impermeability, high elastic modulus, and hardness. Through techniques like molecular self-assembly, electrospinning, and pressure-driven fusion, researchers have successfully fabricated centimeter-scale artificial lamellar bones without synthetic polymers. In environmental applications, electrospun membranes inspired by lotus leaves and bird bones achieve 99.94% separation efficiency for n-hexane–water mixtures, retaining nearly 99% efficiency after 20 cycles. For energy applications, an all-ceramic silica nanofiber aerogel with a bionic blind bristle structure demonstrates ultralow thermal conductivity (0.0232–0.0643 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) across a broad temperature range (−50 to 800 °C). This review highlights the preparation methods and recent advances in biomimetic porous materials for practical applications. Full article

To improve the reliability of glass-fiber/epoxy-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, four laminates were manufactured by vacuum bagging: (i) a virgin baseline, (ii) an epoxy system modified with 15 wt% high-density polyethylene (PE) powder, (iii) a laminate interleaved with electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based nanofiber mats, and (iv) a hybrid combining both modifiers. The specimens were subjected to low-velocity impacts; half were then heated at 150 °C for 30 min and re-impacted. PE caused peak-load loss up to 30% compared to virgin specimens but recovered 25% after heating by filling cracks. PAN interleaves limited the loss to 5%, and the hybrid laminate merged the benefits: it showed the highest first-impact load, retained 96% on re-impact, and gained a further 10% after heating while keeping the smallest permanent indentation. SEM confirmed molten PE migrating along the nanofiber mat to repair delamination fronts, explaining the laminate’s bell-shaped, oscillation-free force response and demonstrating a practical, synergistic self-healing mechanism. Collectively, the results demonstrate a clear structure–property connection: PAN nanofibers capture crack growth, while PE provides temperature-triggered self-healing, and their synergy offers a practical pathway to lightweight GFRP structures with enhanced impact resilience and restoration of mechanical integrity. Full article

In recent years, electrospinning technology has sparked a revolution in the nanoengineering of gas-sensing materials. Nanofibers based on metal oxide semiconductors, carbon materials, or conductive polymers prepared by the electrospinning process have exhibited inspiring properties, including a large specific surface area, porous structure, and nice stability, with bright application prospects in advanced gas sensors. Meanwhile, the increasingly expanding applications of gas sensors, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the food industry, disease diagnosis, etc., have raised higher sensor performance requirements. To further enhance the gas-sensing performance of nanofibers, the scheme of functionalized nanofiber strategies, either in electrospinning or post-treatment, has been proposed and verified. This review systematically summarized the nanostructures, gas-sensing properties, and functional mechanisms of modified nanofibers. Additionally, the perspectives and challenges regarding electrospun nanofibers for gas sensing were discussed. Full article

To solve the limitations of these models for submicron materials like electrospun nanofiber membranes, a numerical simulation was used to construct a three-dimensional model closer to the actual structure to explore the filtration resistance and efficiency of these membranes. Based on the actual polydisperse electrospun nanofiber filter, the three-dimensional structure (fiber diameter 280 nm–1300 nm, thickness 0.0150 mm–0.0240 mm, and solid volume fraction 11.3–17.7%) was reconstructed by GeoDict software. The filtration resistance was simulated with the FlowDict module (surface velocity 6.89 cm/s, 20 °C), and the filtration efficiency was calculated with the FilterDict module (2.5 μm particles, tracking 20,000). The results are compared with the experimental values, Davids empirical formula, Happel model, and Kuwabara model. The results show that the simulated values of filtration resistance are generally higher than the experimental values (deviation ≤ 20%), among which the simulation and experiment have the highest consistency, followed by the Davids formula (such as the relative error of 41.62% at 9% spinning solution concentration), and the Kuwabara model has the largest error (59.86%). The simulated value of filtration efficiency is higher than the experimental value (deviation ≤ 7%), because the model assumes that the particles adhere directly after contacting the fiber, and the actual sliding off is not considered. This study confirms that numerical simulation can efficiently predict the filtration performance of electrospun nanofiber membranes. Therefore, it provides a basis for optimizing material structure by adjusting spinning parameters and promoting the engineering application of submicron filter materials. Full article