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{{Short description|Natural or synthetic fibers with diameters in the nanometer range}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
[[File:Cellulose nanofiber network.jpg|thumb|Example of a cellulose nanofiber network.]]
'''Nanofibers''' are defined as [[fibers]] with diameters on the order of 100 [[nanometers]]. They can be produced by [[interfacial polymerization]] and [[electrospinning]]. [[Carbon nanofibers]] are graphitized fibers produced by catalytic synthesis.
'''Nanofibers''' are fibers with diameters in the [[Nanometre|nanometer]] range (typically, between 1&nbsp;nm and 1 μm). Nanofibers can be generated from different [[polymers]] and hence have different physical properties and application potentials. Examples of natural polymers include [[collagen]], [[cellulose]], [[silk fibroin]], [[keratin]], [[gelatin]] and [[polysaccharides]] such as [[chitosan]] and [[alginate]].<ref name="Vasita">{{cite journal | vauthors = Vasita R, Katti DS | title = Nanofibers and their applications in tissue engineering | journal = International Journal of Nanomedicine | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = 15–30 | date = 2006 | pmid = 17722259 | pmc = 2426767 | doi = 10.2147/nano.2006.1.1.15 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="Khajavi">{{cite journal| vauthors = Khajavi R, Abbasipour M, Bahador A |title=Electrospun biodegradable nanofibers scaffolds for bone tissue engineering|journal=J Appl Polym Sci|date=2016|volume=133|issue=3|pages=n/a|doi=10.1002/app.42883|doi-access=free}}</ref> Examples of synthetic polymers include [[poly(lactic acid)]] (PLA), [[polycaprolactone]] (PCL),<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sivan|first1=Manikandan|last2=Madheswaran|first2=Divyabharathi|last3=Valtera|first3=Jan|last4=Kostakova|first4=Eva Kuzelova|last5=Lukas|first5=David|date=2022-01-01|title=Alternating current electrospinning: The impacts of various high-voltage signal shapes and frequencies on the spinnability and productivity of polycaprolactone nanofibers|journal=Materials & Design|language=en|volume=213|pages=110308|doi=10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110308|s2cid=245075252|issn=0264-1275|doi-access=free}}</ref> [[polyurethane]] (PU), [[poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)]] (PLGA), [[poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)]] (PHBV), and [[Ethylene-vinyl acetate|poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate)]] (PEVA).<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" /> Polymer chains are connected via [[covalent bonds]].<ref name="Teraoka">{{cite book |last1=Teraoka |first1=Iwao | name-list-style = vanc |title=Polymer Solutions: An Introduction to Physical Properties|date=2002|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc|isbn=978-0-471-22451-8}}</ref> The diameters of nanofibers depend on the type of polymer used and the method of production.<ref name="Reneker">{{cite journal| vauthors = Reneker D, Chun I |title=Nanometre diameter fibres of polymer produced by electrospinning|journal=Nanotechnology|date=1996|volume=7|issue=3|pages=216–223|doi=10.1088/0957-4484/7/3/009|url=https://semanticscholar.org/paper/b2ce2bca7bf2de9174756623b8cfd8529aa47dbf|bibcode=1996Nanot...7..216R|s2cid=4498522}}</ref> All polymer nanofibers are unique for their large surface area-to-volume ratio, high porosity, appreciable mechanical strength, and flexibility in functionalization compared to their [[microfiber]] counterparts.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" /><ref name="Li">{{cite journal| vauthors = Li D, Xia Y |title=Electrospinning of nanofibers: reinventing the wheel?|journal=Adv Mater|date=2004|volume=16|issue=14|pages=1151–1170|doi=10.1002/adma.200400719|bibcode=2004AdM....16.1151L |s2cid=137659394 }}</ref>
[[Image:N2 2.kesit.JPG |thumb|right|SEM image of nanofibers by Nano FMG.]]

There exist many different methods to make nanofibers, including drawing, [[electrospinning]], [[Molecular self-assembly|self-assembly]], template synthesis, and thermal-induced phase separation. Electrospinning is the most commonly used method to generate nanofibers because of the straightforward setup, the ability to mass-produce continuous nanofibers from various polymers, and the capability to generate ultrathin fibers with controllable diameters, compositions, and orientations.<ref name="Li" /> This flexibility allows for controlling the shape and arrangement of the fibers so that different structures (''i.e.'' hollow, flat and ribbon shaped) can be fabricated depending on intended application purposes.
Nanofibers have many possible technological and commercial applications. They are used in tissue engineering,<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" /><ref name="Ma" /> drug delivery,<ref name="Sharifi" /><ref name="Ahn" /><ref name="Garg" /> seed coating material,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Farias|first1=Barbara V.|last2=Pirzada|first2=Tahira|last3=Mathew|first3=Reny|last4=Sit|first4=Tim L.|last5=Opperman|first5=Charles|last6=Khan|first6=Saad A. | name-list-style = vanc |date=2019-12-16|title=Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers as Seed Coatings for Crop Protection|url=https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05200|journal=ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering|volume=7|issue=24|pages=19848–19856|doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05200|s2cid=209709462}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Xu|first1=Tao|last2=Ma|first2=Chuanxin|last3=Aytac|first3=Zeynep|last4=Hu|first4=Xiao|last5=Ng|first5=Kee Woei|last6=White|first6=Jason C.|last7=Demokritou|first7=Philip | name-list-style = vanc |date=2020-06-29|title=Enhancing Agrichemical Delivery and Seedling Development with Biodegradable, Tunable, Biopolymer-Based Nanofiber Seed Coatings|url=https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c02696|journal=ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering|volume=8|issue=25|pages=9537–9548|doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c02696|s2cid=219914870}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = De Gregorio PR, Michavila G, Ricciardi Muller L, de Souza Borges C, Pomares MF, Saccol de Sá EL, Pereira C, Vincent PA | display-authors = 6 | title = Beneficial rhizobacteria immobilized in nanofibers for potential application as soybean seed bioinoculants | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 12 | issue = 5 | pages = e0176930 | date = 2017-05-04 | pmid = 28472087 | pmc = 5417607 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0176930 | bibcode = 2017PLoSO..1276930D | doi-access = free }}</ref> cancer diagnosis,<ref name="Chen" /><ref name="Ke" /><ref name="Cristofanilli" /> lithium-air battery,<ref name="Zhang 3" /><ref name="Economist" /><ref name="Yang 2" /> optical sensors,<ref name="Wang" /><ref name="Yang 3" /><ref name="Zubia" /> air filtration,<ref name="Kelly" /><ref name="Scholten" /><ref name="Graham" /> redox-flow batteries <ref>{{cite journal | title = A bibliometric review of flow batteries' progress and challenges | journal = Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering | year = 2022 |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362405724 }}</ref> and composite materials.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Maccaferri|first1=Emanuele|last2=Mazzocchetti|first2=Laura|last3=Benelli|first3=Tiziana|last4=Brugo|first4=Tommaso Maria|last5=Zucchelli|first5=Andrea|last6=Giorgini|first6=Loris|date=2022-01-12|title=Self-Assembled NBR/Nomex Nanofibers as Lightweight Rubbery Nonwovens for Hindering Delamination in Epoxy CFRPs|journal=ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces|language=en|volume=14|issue=1|pages=1885–1899|doi=10.1021/acsami.1c17643|issn=1944-8244|pmc=8763375|pmid=34939406}}</ref>

==History of nanofiber production==

Nanofibers were first produced via [[electrospinning]] more than four centuries ago.<ref name="Nascimento">{{cite journal | vauthors = Nascimento ML, Araújo ES, Cordeiro ER, de Oliveira AH, de Oliveira HP | title = A Literature Investigation about Electrospinning and Nanofibers: Historical Trends, Current Status and Future Challenges | journal = Recent Patents on Nanotechnology | volume = 9 | issue = 2 | pages = 76–85 | date = 2015 | pmid = 27009122 | doi = 10.2174/187221050902150819151532 }}</ref><ref name="Tucker">{{cite journal| vauthors = Tucker N, Stanger JJ, Staiger MP, Razzaq H, Hofman K |title=The history of the science and technology of electrospinning from 1600 to 1995|journal=J Eng Fibers Fabr|date=2012|volume=7|pages=63–73|url=http://www.jeffjournal.org/papers/Volume7/7.2b.10N.Tucker.pdf}}</ref> Beginning with the development of the electrospinning method, English physicist [[William Gilbert (astronomer)|William Gilbert]] (1544-1603) first documented the [[electrostatic attraction]] between liquids by preparing an experiment in which he observed a spherical water drop on a dry surface warp into a cone shape when it was held below an electrically charged amber.<ref name="Gilbert">{{cite journal|last1=Gilbert|first1=William | name-list-style = vanc |title=De magnete, magneticisque corporibus, et de magno magnete tellure|date=1600}}</ref> This deformation later came to be known as the [[Taylor cone]].<ref name="Taylor">{{cite journal| vauthors = Taylor G |title=Disintegration of water drops in an electric field|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society A|date=1964|volume=280|issue=1382|pages=383–39 7|doi=10.1098/rspa.1964.0151|bibcode=1964RSPSA.280..383T |s2cid=15067908}}</ref> In 1882, English physicist [[John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh|Lord Rayleigh]] (1842-1919) analyzed the unstable states of liquid droplets that were electrically charged, and noted that the liquid was ejected in tiny jets when [[List of types of equilibrium|equilibrium]] was established between the [[surface tension]] and [[electrostatic force]].<ref name="Lord Rayleigh">{{cite journal| vauthors = Strutt J |title=On the equilibrium of liquid conducting masses charged with electricity London, Edinburgh, and Dublin|journal=Philos. Mag.|date=1882|volume=14|issue=87|pages=184–186|doi=10.1080/14786448208628425|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1431159}}</ref> In 1887, British physicist [[Charles Vernon Boys]] (1855-1944) published a manuscript about nanofiber development and production.<ref name="Boys">{{cite journal| vauthors = Boys C |title=On the production, properties, and some suggested uses of the finest threads|journal=Philos. Mag.|date=1887|volume=23|issue=145|pages=489–499|doi=10.1080/14786448708628043|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1431177}}</ref> In 1900, American inventor John Francis Cooley (1861-1903) filed the first modern electrospinning patent.<ref name="Cooley">{{cite web| vauthors = Cooley J |title=Improved methods of and apparatus for electrically separating the relatively volatile liquid component from the component of relatively fixed substances of composite fluids|url=https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=GB&NR=190006385|website=Espacenet}}</ref>

Anton Formhals was the first person to attempt nanofiber production between 1934 and 1944 and publish the first patent describing the experimental production of nanofibers.<ref name="Tucker" /> In 1966, Harold Simons published a patent for a device that could produce thin and light nanofiber fabrics with diverse motifs.<ref name="Harold">{{cite web|last1=Harold|first1=Simon | name-list-style = vanc |title=Process and apparatus for producing patterned non-woven fabrics|url=https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=US&NR=3280229A&KC=A&FT=D|website=Espacenet}}</ref>

Only at the end of the 20th century have the words electrospinning and nanofiber become common language among scientists and researchers.<ref name="Nascimento" /><ref name="Tucker" /> Electrospinning continues to be developed today.

==Synthesis methods==

Many chemical and mechanical techniques for preparing nanofibers exist.

=== Electrospinning ===
{{main|Electrospinning}}
[[File:Electrospinning Image for Wikipedia.tif|thumb|Diagram of a general set-up of electrospinning.]]
[[File:Taylor cone.jpg|thumb|Taylor cone from which jet of polymer solution is ejected.]]
'''Electrospinning''' is the most commonly used method to fabricate nanofibers.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lolla D, Gorse J, Kisielowski C, Miao J, Taylor PL, Chase GG, Reneker DH | title = Polyvinylidene fluoride molecules in nanofibers, imaged at atomic scale by aberration corrected electron microscopy | journal = Nanoscale | volume = 8 | issue = 1 | pages = 120–8 | date = January 2016 | pmid = 26369731 | doi = 10.1039/C5NR01619C | url = http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/1fp5d847 | bibcode = 2015Nanos...8..120L | s2cid = 205976678 }}</ref><ref name="Li" />
<ref name="Sarbatly R. 2016 8–16">{{cite journal | vauthors = Sarbatly R, Krishnaiah D, Kamin Z | title = A review of polymer nanofibres by electrospinning and their application in oil-water separation for cleaning up marine oil spills | journal = Marine Pollution Bulletin | volume = 106 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 8–16 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 27016959 | doi = 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.037 | bibcode = 2016MarPB.106....8S | name-list-style = amp }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sivan|first1=Manikandan|last2=Madheswaran|first2=Divyabharathi|last3=Asadian|first3=Mahtab|last4=Cools|first4=Pieter|last5=Thukkaram|first5=Monica|last6=Van Der Voort|first6=Pascal|last7=Morent|first7=Rino|last8=De Geyter|first8=Nathalie|last9=Lukas|first9=David | name-list-style = vanc |date=2020-10-15|title=Plasma treatment effects on bulk properties of polycaprolactone nanofibrous mats fabricated by uncommon AC electrospinning: A comparative study|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0257897220308720|journal=Surface and Coatings Technology|language=en|volume=399|pages=126203|doi=10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126203|s2cid=224924026|issn=0257-8972}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Madheswaran|first1=Divyabharathi|last2=Sivan|first2=Manikandan|last3=Valtera|first3=Jan|last4=Kostakova|first4=Eva Kuzelova|last5=Egghe|first5=Tim|last6=Asadian|first6=Mahtab|last7=Novotny|first7=Vit|last8=Nguyen|first8=Nhung H. A.|last9=Sevcu|first9=Alena|last10=Morent|first10=Rino|last11=Geyter|first11=Nathalie De|title=Composite yarns with antibacterial nanofibrous sheaths produced by collectorless alternating-current electrospinning for suture applications|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/app.51851|journal=Journal of Applied Polymer Science|year=2022|volume=139|issue=13|language=en|pages=51851|doi=10.1002/app.51851|s2cid=243969095|issn=1097-4628}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Manikandan|first1=S.|last2=Divyabharathi|first2=M.|last3=Tomas|first3=K.|last4=Pavel|first4=P.|last5=David|first5=L.|date=2019-01-01|title=Production of poly (ε-caprolactone) Antimicrobial Nanofibers by Needleless Alternating Current Electrospinning|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221478531931898X|journal=Materials Today: Proceedings|series=6th International Conference on Recent Advances in Materials, Minerals & Environment (RAMM) 2018, RAMM 2018, 27–29 November 2018, Penang, Malaysia|language=en|volume=17|pages=1100–1104|doi=10.1016/j.matpr.2019.06.526|s2cid=202207593|issn=2214-7853}}</ref>
The instruments necessary for electrospinning include a high voltage supplier, a [[capillary tube]] with a pipette or needle with a small diameter, and a metal collecting screen. One [[electrode]] is placed into the polymer solution and the other electrode is attached to the collector. An [[electric field]] is applied to the end of the capillary tube that contains the polymer solution held by its surface tension and forms a charge on the surface of the liquid. As the intensity of the electric field increases, the hemispherical surface of the fluid at the tip of the capillary tube elongates to form a conical shape known as the [[Taylor cone]]. A critical value is attained upon further increase in the electric field in which the repulsive electrostatic force overcomes the surface tension and the charged jet of fluid is ejected from the tip of the Taylor cone. The discharged polymer solution jet is unstable and elongates as a result, allowing the jet to become very long and thin. Charged polymer fibers solidifies with solvent evaporation.<ref name="Li" /><ref name="Reneker2">{{cite journal | vauthors = Garg K, Bowlin GL | title = Electrospinning jets and nanofibrous structures | journal = Biomicrofluidics | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 13403 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21522493 | pmc = 3082340 | doi = 10.1063/1.3567097 }}</ref> Randomly-oriented nanofibers are collected on the collector. Nanofibers can also be collected in a highly aligned fashion by using specialized collectors such as the [[rotating drum]],<ref name="Kim">{{cite journal| vauthors = Kim KW, Lee KH, Khil MS, Ho YS, Kim HY |title=The effect of molecular weight and the linear velocity of drum surface on the properties of electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwovens|journal=Fibers Polym|date=2004|volume=5|issue=2|pages=122–127|doi=10.1007/BF02902925|s2cid=137021572}}</ref> metal frame,<ref name="Dersch">{{cite journal| vauthors = Dersch R, Liu T, Schaper AK, Greiner A, Wendorff JH |title=Electrospun nanofibers: internal structure and intrinsic orientation|journal=Polym Chem|date=2003|volume=41|issue=4|pages=545–553|doi=10.1002/pola.10609|bibcode=2003JPoSA..41..545D}}</ref> or a two-parallel plates system.<ref name="Beachley">{{cite journal | vauthors = Beachley V, Wen X | title = Effect of electrospinning parameters on the nanofiber diameter and length | journal = Materials Science & Engineering. C, Materials for Biological Applications | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 663–668 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 21461344 | pmc = 3065832 | doi = 10.1016/j.msec.2008.10.037 }}</ref> Parameters such as jet stream movement and polymer concentration have to be controlled to produce nanofibers with uniform diameters and morphologies.<ref name="Leach">{{cite journal | vauthors = Leach MK, Feng ZQ, Tuck SJ, Corey JM | title = Electrospinning fundamentals: optimizing solution and apparatus parameters | journal = Journal of Visualized Experiments | volume = 47 | issue = 47 | page = 2494 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21304466 | pmc = 3182658 | doi = 10.3791/2494 }}</ref>

The electrospinning technique transforms many types of polymers into nanofibers. An electrospun nanofiber network resembles the [[extracellular matrix]] (ECM) well.<ref name="Li" /><ref name="Huang">{{cite journal| vauthors = Huang ZM, Zhang YZ, Kotaki M, Ramakrishna S |title=A review on polymer nanofibers by electrospinning and their applications in nanocomposites|journal=Compos Sci Technol|date=2003|volume=63|issue=15|pages=2223–2253|doi=10.1016/S0266-3538(03)00178-7|s2cid=4511766 }}</ref><ref name="Cheng">{{cite journal | vauthors = Cheng J, Jun Y, Qin J, Lee SH | title = Electrospinning versus microfluidic spinning of functional fibers for biomedical applications | journal = Biomaterials | volume = 114 | pages = 121–143 | date = January 2017 | pmid = 27880892 | doi = 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.10.040 }}</ref> This resemblance is a major advantage of electrospinning because it opens up the possibility of mimicking the ECM with regards to fiber diameters, high porosity, and mechanical properties. Electrospinning is being further developed for mass production of one-by-one continuous nanofibers.<ref name="Huang" />

===Thermal-induced phase separation===

Thermal-induced phase separation separates a homogenous polymer solution into a multi-phase system via [[Thermodynamics|thermodynamic]] changes.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Ma">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma PX, Zhang R | title = Synthetic nano-scale fibrous extracellular matrix | journal = Journal of Biomedical Materials Research | volume = 46 | issue = 1 | pages = 60–72 | date = July 1999 | pmid = 10357136 | doi = 10.1002/(sici)1097-4636(199907)46:1<60::aid-jbm7>3.0.co;2-h | hdl-access = free | hdl = 2027.42/34415 }}</ref><ref name="Ma 2">{{cite journal|last1=Ma|first1=P.|title=Scaffolds for tissue fabrication|journal=Materials Today|date=2004|volume=7|issue=5|pages=30–40|doi=10.1016/S1369-7021(04)00233-0|doi-access=free}}</ref> The procedure involves five steps: polymer [[Dissolution (chemistry)|dissolution]], liquid-liquid or liquid-solid phase separation, polymer [[gelation]], [[Extraction (chemistry)|extraction]] of solvent from the gel with water, and [[freezing]] and [[freeze-drying]] under vacuum.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Ma" /> Thermal-induced phase separation method is widely used to generate scaffolds for tissue regeneration.<ref name="Ma 2" />

The homogenous polymer solution in the first step is thermodynamically unstable and tends to separate into polymer-rich and polymer-lean phases under appropriate temperature. Eventually after solvent removal, the polymer-rich phase solidifies to form the matrix and the polymer-lean phase develops into pores.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removed citation to predatory publisher content}} Next, two types of phase separation can be carried out on the polymer solution depending on the desired pattern. Liquid-liquid separation is usually used to form bicontinuous phase structures while solid-liquid phase separation is used to form crystal structures. The gelation step plays a crucial role in controlling the porous morphology of the nanofibrous matrices. Gelation is influenced by temperature, polymer concentration, and solvent properties.<ref name="Ma 2" /> Temperature regulates the structure of the fiber network: low gelation temperature results in formation of nanoscale fiber networks while high gelation temperature leads to the formation of a platelet-like structure.<ref name="Vasita" /> Polymer concentration affects fiber properties: an increase in polymer concentration decreases porosity and increases mechanical properties such as tensile strength. Solvent properties influence morphology of the scaffolds. After gelation, gel is placed in distilled water for solvent exchange. Afterwards, the gel is removed from the water and goes through freezing and freeze-drying. It is then stored in a desiccator until characterization.

===Drawing===

The drawing method makes long single strands of nanofibers one at a time. The pulling process is accompanied by solidification that converts the dissolved spinning material into a solid fiber.<ref name="Huang" /><ref name="Ramakrishna">{{cite book| vauthors = Ramakrishna S |display-authors=etal|title=An Introduction to Electrospinning and Nanofibers|date=2005|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-256-415-3}}</ref> A cooling step is necessary in the case of melt spinning and evaporation of solvent in the case of dry spinning. A limitation, however, is that only a viscoelastic material that can undergo extensive deformations while possessing sufficient cohesion to survive the stresses developed during pulling can be made into nanofibers through this process.<ref name="Huang" /><ref name="Ondarcuhu">{{cite journal| vauthors = Ondarcuhu T, Joachim C |title=Drawing a single nanofiber over hundreds of microns|journal=Europhys Lett|date=1998|volume=42|issue=2|pages=215–220|doi=10.1209/epl/i1998-00233-9|bibcode=1998EL.....42..215O|s2cid=250737386 }}</ref>

===Template synthesis===

The template synthesis method uses a nanoporous membrane template composed of cylindrical pores of uniform diameter to make [[fibril]]s (solid nanofiber) and [[tubule]]s (hollow nanofiber).<ref name="Martin 2">{{cite journal| vauthors = Martin C |title=Template synthesis of electronically conductive polymer nanostructures|journal=Acc Chem Res|date=1995|volume=28|issue=2|pages=61–68|doi=10.1021/ar00050a002}}</ref><ref name="Martin 3">{{cite journal | vauthors = Martin CR | title = Nanomaterials: a membrane-based synthetic approach | journal = Science | volume = 266 | issue = 5193 | pages = 1961–6 | date = December 1994 | pmid = 17836514 | doi = 10.1126/science.266.5193.1961 | s2cid = 45456343 | bibcode = 1994Sci...266.1961M }}</ref> This method can be used to prepare fibrils and tubules of many types of materials, including metals, semiconductors and electronically conductive polymers.<ref name="Martin 2" /><ref name="Martin 3" /> The uniform pores allow for control of the dimensions of the fibers so nanofibers with very small diameters can be produced through this method. However, a drawback of this method is that it cannot make continuous nanofibers one at a time.

===Self-assembly===

The self-assembly technique is used to generate [[peptide]] nanofibers and [[peptide amphiphiles]]. The method was inspired by the natural folding process of [[amino acid]] residues to form proteins with unique three-dimensional structures.<ref name="Malkar">{{cite journal | vauthors = Malkar NB, Lauer-Fields JL, Juska D, Fields GB | title = Characterization of peptide-amphiphiles possessing cellular activation sequences | journal = Biomacromolecules | volume = 4 | issue = 3 | pages = 518–28 | date = 2003 | pmid = 12741765 | doi = 10.1021/bm0256597 }}</ref> The self-assembly process of peptide nanofibers involves various driving forces such as [[hydrophobic interaction]]s, [[electrostatic force]]s, [[hydrogen bonding]] and [[van der Waals force]]s and is influenced by external conditions such as [[ionic strength]] and [[pH]].<ref name="Zhang 2">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhang C, Xue X, Luo Q, Li Y, Yang K, Zhuang X, Jiang Y, Zhang J, Liu J, Zou G, Liang XJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Self-assembled Peptide nanofibers designed as biological enzymes for catalyzing ester hydrolysis | journal = ACS Nano | volume = 8 | issue = 11 | pages = 11715–23 | date = November 2014 | pmid = 25375351 | doi = 10.1021/nn5051344 }}</ref>

==Polymer materials==
[[File:Dense connective tissue-400x.jpg|thumb|Collagen fibers in a cross-sectional area of dense connective tissue.]]
Due to their high porosity and large surface area-to-volume ratio, nanofibers are widely used to construct scaffolds for biological applications.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" /> Major examples of natural polymers used in scaffold production are [[collagen]], [[cellulose]], [[silk fibroin]], [[keratin]], [[gelatin]] and [[polysaccharides]] such as [[chitosan]] and [[alginate]]. [[Collagen]] is a natural extracellular component of many [[connective tissue]]s. Its fibrillary structure, which varies in diameter from 50-500&nbsp;nm, is important for cell recognition, attachment, proliferation and differentiation.<ref name="Khajavi" /> Using [[type I collagen]] nanofibers produced via electrospinning, Shih et al. found that the engineered collagen scaffold showed an increase in cell adhesion and decrease in cell migration with increasing fiber diameter.<ref name="Shih">{{cite journal | vauthors = Shih YR, Chen CN, Tsai SW, Wang YJ, Lee OK | title = Growth of mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun type I collagen nanofibers | journal = Stem Cells | volume = 24 | issue = 11 | pages = 2391–7 | date = November 2006 | pmid = 17071856 | doi = 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0253 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Using silk scaffolds as a guide for growth for bone tissue regeneration, Kim et al. observed complete bone union after 8 weeks and complete healing of defects after 12 weeks whereas the control in which the bone did not have the scaffold displayed limited mending of defects in the same time period.<ref name="Kim 3">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kim KH, Jeong L, Park HN, Shin SY, Park WH, Lee SC, Kim TI, Park YJ, Seol YJ, Lee YM, Ku Y, Rhyu IC, Han SB, Chung CP | display-authors = 6 | title = Biological efficacy of silk fibroin nanofiber membranes for guided bone regeneration | journal = Journal of Biotechnology | volume = 120 | issue = 3 | pages = 327–39 | date = November 2005 | pmid = 16150508 | doi = 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2005.06.033 }}</ref> Similarly, [[keratin]], [[gelatin]], [[chitosan]] and [[alginate]] demonstrate excellent [[biocompatibility]] and [[bioactivity]] in scaffolds.<ref name="Khajavi" />

However, cellular recognition of natural polymers can easily initiate an immune response.<ref name="Khajavi" /><ref name="Cheng" /> Consequently, synthetic polymers such as [[poly(lactic acid)]] (PLA), [[polycaprolactone]] (PCL), [[polyurethane]] (PU), [[poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)]] (PLGA), [[Polylactic acid|poly(L-lactide)]] (PLLA), and [[Poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate)|poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate)]] (PEVA) have been developed as alternatives for integration into scaffolds. Being biodegradable and biocompatible, these synthetic polymers can be used to form matrices with a fiber diameter within the nanometer range. Out of these synthetic polymers, PCL has generated considerable enthusiasm among researchers.<ref name="Azimi">{{cite journal| vauthors = Azimi B, Nourpanah P, Rabiee M, Arbab S |title=Poly (ε-caprolactone) fiber: an overview|journal=J Eng Fibers Fabr|date=2014|volume=9|issue=3|pages=74–90}}</ref> PCL is a type of biodegradable polyester that can be prepared via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone using [[Catalysis|catalysts]]. It shows low toxicity, low cost and slow degradation. PCL can be combined with other materials such as gelatin, collagen, chitosan, and calcium phosphate to improve the differentiation and proliferation capacity (2, 17).<ref name="Khajavi" /><ref name="Azimi" /> PLLA is another popular synthetic polymer. PLLA is well known for its superior mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility. It shows efficient cell migration ability due to its high spatial interconnectivity, high porosity and controlled alignment.<ref name="Shim">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hejazi F, Mirzadeh H | title = Novel 3D scaffold with enhanced physical and cell response properties for bone tissue regeneration, fabricated by patterned electrospinning/electrospraying | journal = Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine | volume = 27 | issue = 9 | pages = 143 | date = September 2016 | pmid = 27550014 | doi = 10.1007/s10856-016-5748-8 | s2cid = 23987237 }}</ref> A blend of PLLA and PLGA scaffold matrix has shown proper biomimetic structure, good mechanical strength and favorable bioactivity.

==Applications==
==Applications==
===Tissue engineering===
*Medical: Artificial organ components, Tissue engineering, Implant material, Drug delivery, Wound dressing, Medical textile materials.
[[File:Woven bone matrix.jpg|thumb|Bone matrix composed of collagen fibrils. Nanofiber scaffolds are able to mimic such structure.]]
*Protective materials: Sound absorption materials, Protective clothings against, chemical, biological warfare agents, Sensor applications for detecting chemical agents.
In tissue engineering, a highly porous artificial extracellular matrix is needed to support and guide cell growth and tissue regeneration.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" /><ref name="Burg">{{cite journal | vauthors = Burg KJ, Porter S, Kellam JF | title = Biomaterial developments for bone tissue engineering | journal = Biomaterials | volume = 21 | issue = 23 | pages = 2347–59 | date = December 2000 | pmid = 11055282 | doi = 10.1016/s0142-9612(00)00102-2 }}</ref><ref name="Sun">{{cite journal| vauthors = Sun B, Long YZ, Zhang HD, Li MM, Duvail JL, Jiang XY, Yin HL |title=Advances in three-dimensional nanofibrous macrostructures via electrospinning|journal=Prog Polym Sci|date=2014|volume=39|issue=5|pages=862–890|doi=10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2013.06.002}}</ref> Natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers have been used to create such scaffolds.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Khajavi" />
*Energy: Batteries, Photovoltaic Cells, Polymer Electrolytes, Membrane Fuel Cells.
*Textile: Sport Apparels, Sport Shoes, Climbing, Rainwear, Outerwear Garments, Baby Diapers.
*Filtration: HVAC system filters, HEPA, ULPA High efficient filters, Air, oil, fuel filters for automotive, Filters for beverage, pharmacy,medical applications.
*In one study, combined [[neural stem cell]]s with carbon nanofibers triggered neural [[tissue regeneration]] in the brains of rats that had suffered a simulated [[stroke]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}} On their own, neither nanofibers nor stem cells could heal the rats.
*Napkins with nanofibers contain [[antibodies]] against numerous [[biohazard]]s and chemicals that signal by changing color (potentially useful in identifying bacteria in kitchens).
*In wound healing nanofibers assemble at the injury site and stay put, drawing the body's own [[growth factor]]s to the injury site.
*[http://www.nanofmgroup.com Nano FMG-Nano Fiber Membranes Group] develops polymer nanofiber membranes and industrial [[electrospinning]] unit for nanofiber production.
*[[Donaldson (company)|Donaldson]] develops nanofiber [[filter media]] for new [[air filtration|air]] and liquid [[filtration]] applications, such as [[vacuum cleaner]]s.


Simon, in a 1988 NIH SBIR grant report, showed that electrospinning could be used to produce nano- and submicron-scale polystyrene and polycarbonate fibrous mats specifically intended for use as in vitro cell substrates. This early use of electrospun fibrous lattices for cell culture and tissue engineering showed that Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFF), transformed Human Carcinoma (HEp-2), and Mink Lung Epithelium (MLE) would adhere to and proliferate upon the fibers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317053872|title=NIH PHASE I FINAL REPORT: FIBROUS SUBSTRATES FOR CELL CULTURE (R3RR03544A) (PDF Download Available)|last=Simon|first=Eric M.|date=1988|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sukumar|first1=Uday Kumar|last2=Packirisamy|first2=Gopinath | name-list-style = vanc |date=2019-10-08|title=Fabrication of Nanofibrous Scaffold Grafted with Gelatin Functionalized Polystyrene Microspheres for Manifesting Nanomechanical Cues of Stretch Stimulated Fibroblast|journal=ACS Applied Bio Materials|volume=2|issue=12|pages=5323–5339|doi=10.1021/acsabm.9b00580|pmid=35021533|s2cid=208733153}}</ref>
Other applications include industrial and high-tech applications for [[aerospace]], [[capacitor]]s, [[transistor]]s, [[battery separator]]s, energy storage, [[fuel cell]]s and [[information technology]].

Nanofiber scaffolds are used in bone tissue engineering to mimic the natural extracellular matrix of the bones.<ref name="Ma" /> The bone tissue is arranged either in a [[Compact bone|compact]] or [[Trabecular bone|trabecular]] pattern and composed of organized structures that vary in length from the centimeter range all the way to the nanometer scale. Nonmineralized organic component (i.e. [[Type I collagen|type 1 collagen]]), mineralized inorganic component (i.e. [[hydroxyapatite]]), and many other noncollagenous matrix proteins (i.e. [[glycoprotein]]s and [[proteoglycan]]s) make up the nanocomposite structure of the bone ECM.<ref name="Burg" /> The organic collagen fibers and the inorganic mineral salts provide flexibility and toughness, respectively, to ECM.

Although the bone is a dynamic tissue that can self-heal upon minor injuries, it cannot regenerate after experiencing large defects such as bone tumor [[Resection (surgery)|resections]] and severe nonunion fractures because it lacks the appropriate template.<ref name="Vasita" /><ref name="Ma" /> Currently, the standard treatment is [[autograft]]ing which involves obtaining the donor bone from a non-significant and easily accessible site (i.e. [[iliac crest]]) in the patient own body and transplanting it into the defective site. Transplantation of autologous bone has the best clinical outcome because it integrates reliably with the host bone and can avoid complications with the immune system.<ref name="Betz">{{cite journal | vauthors = Betz RR | title = Limitations of autograft and allograft: new synthetic solutions | journal = Orthopedics | volume = 25 | issue = 5 Suppl | pages = s561-70 | date = May 2002 | pmid = 12038843 | doi = 10.3928/0147-7447-20020502-04 }}</ref> But its use is limited by its short supply and donor site morbidity associated with the harvest procedure.<ref name="Burg" /> Furthermore, autografted bones are [[avascular]] and hence are dependent on [[diffusion]] for nutrients, which affects their viability in the host.<ref name="Betz" /> The grafts can also be resorbed before [[osteogenesis]] is complete due to high remodeling rates in the body.<ref name="Burg" /><ref name="Betz" /> Another strategy for treating severe bone damage is [[Allografts|allografting]] which transplants bones harvested from a human cadaver. However, allografts introduce the risk of disease and infection in the host.<ref name="Betz" />

Bone tissue engineering presents a versatile response to treat bone injuries and deformations. Nanofibers produced via electrospinning mimics the architecture and characteristics of natural extracellular matrix particularly well. These scaffolds can be used to deliver bioactive agents that promote tissue regeneration.<ref name="Khajavi" /> These bioactive materials should ideally be [[Bone grafting|osteoinductive]], [[Bone grafting|osteoconductive]], and [[Osseointegration|osseointegratable]].<ref name="Burg" /> Bone substitute materials intended to replace autologous or allogeneic bone consist of bioactive ceramics, bioactive glasses, and biological and synthetic polymers. The basis of bone tissue engineering is that the materials will be resorbed and replaced over time by the body’s own newly regenerated biological tissue.<ref name="Sun" />

Tissue engineering is not only limited to the bone: a large amount of research is devoted to cartilage,<ref name="Tuli">{{cite journal | vauthors = Tuli R, Li WJ, Tuan RS | title = Current state of cartilage tissue engineering | journal = Arthritis Research & Therapy | volume = 5 | issue = 5 | pages = 235–8 | date = 2003 | pmid = 12932283 | pmc = 193737 | doi = 10.1186/ar991 | doi-access = free }}</ref> ligament,<ref name="Lin">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lin VS, Lee MC, O'Neal S, McKean J, Sung KL | title = Ligament tissue engineering using synthetic biodegradable fiber scaffolds | journal = Tissue Engineering | volume = 5 | issue = 5 | pages = 443–52 | date = October 1999 | pmid = 10586100 | doi = 10.1089/ten.1999.5.443 }}</ref> skeletal muscle,<ref name="Riboldi">{{cite journal | vauthors = Riboldi SA, Sampaolesi M, Neuenschwander P, Cossu G, Mantero S | title = Electrospun degradable polyesterurethane membranes: potential scaffolds for skeletal muscle tissue engineering | journal = Biomaterials | volume = 26 | issue = 22 | pages = 4606–15 | date = August 2005 | pmid = 15722130 | doi = 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.11.035 | url = https://lirias.kuleuven.be/handle/123456789/187554 }}</ref> skin,<ref name="Matthews">{{cite journal | vauthors = Matthews JA, Wnek GE, Simpson DG, Bowlin GL | title = Electrospinning of collagen nanofibers | journal = Biomacromolecules | volume = 3 | issue = 2 | pages = 232–8 | date = 2002 | pmid = 11888306 | doi = 10.1021/bm015533u }}</ref> blood vessel,<ref name="Mo">{{cite journal | vauthors = Mo XM, Xu CY, Kotaki M, Ramakrishna S | title = Electrospun P(LLA-CL) nanofiber: a biomimetic extracellular matrix for smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell proliferation | journal = Biomaterials | volume = 25 | issue = 10 | pages = 1883–90 | date = May 2004 | pmid = 14738852 | doi = 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.08.042 }}</ref> and neural tissue engineering<ref name="Yang">{{cite journal | vauthors = Yang F, Xu CY, Kotaki M, Wang S, Ramakrishna S | title = Characterization of neural stem cells on electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffold | journal = Journal of Biomaterials Science. Polymer Edition | volume = 15 | issue = 12 | pages = 1483–97 | date = 2004 | pmid = 15696794 | doi = 10.1163/1568562042459733 | s2cid = 2990409 }}</ref> as well.

===Drug delivery===
[[File:Drug delivery diagram.png|thumb|Drugs and biopolymers can be loaded onto nanofibers via simple adsorption, nanoparticles adsorption, and multilayer assembly.]]

Successful delivery of therapeutics to the intended target largely depends on the choice of the drug carrier. The criteria for an ideal [[drug]] carrier include maximum effect upon delivery of the drug to the target organ, evasion of the immune system of the body in the process of reaching the organ, retention of the therapeutic molecules from preparatory stages to the final delivery of the drug, and proper release of the drug for exertion of the intended therapeutic effect.<ref name="Sharifi">{{cite journal| vauthors = Sharifi F, Sooriyarachchi AC, Altural H, Montazami R, Rylander MN, Hashemi N |title=Fiber based approaches as medicine delivery systems|journal=ACS Biomater Sci Eng|date=2016|volume=2|issue=9|pages=1411–1431|doi=10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00281|pmid=33440580|url=https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/me_pubs/316}}</ref> Nanofibers are under study as a possible drug carrier candidate.<ref name="Ahn">{{cite journal| vauthors = Ahn SY, Mun CH, Lee SH |title=Microfluidic spinning of fibrous alginate carrier having highly enhanced drug loading capability and delayed release profile|journal=RSC Adv|date=2015|volume=5|issue=20|pages=15172–15181|doi=10.1039/C4RA11438H|bibcode=2015RSCAd...515172A}}</ref><ref name="Garg">{{cite journal | vauthors = Garg T, Rath G, Goyal AK | title = Biomaterials-based nanofiber scaffold: targeted and controlled carrier for cell and drug delivery | journal = Journal of Drug Targeting | volume = 23 | issue = 3 | pages = 202–21 | date = April 2015 | pmid = 25539071 | doi = 10.3109/1061186X.2014.992899 | s2cid = 8398004 }}</ref><ref name="Fogaca">{{cite book| vauthors = Fogaça R, Ouimet MA, Catalani LH, Uhrich KE |title=Bioactive-based poly(anhydride-esters) and blends for controlled drug delivery|date=2013|publisher=American Chemical Society|isbn=9780841227996}}</ref> Natural polymers such as gelatin and alginate make for good fabrication biomaterials for carrier nanofibers because of their [[biocompatibility]] and [[Biodegradation|biodegradability]] that result in no harm to the tissue of the host and no toxic accumulation in the human body, respectively. Due to their cylindrical morphology, nanofibers possess a high surface area-to-volume ratio. As a result, the fibers possess high drug-loading capacity and may release therapeutic molecules over a large surface area.<ref name="Sharifi" /><ref name="Cheng" /> Whereas surface area to volume ratio can only be controlled by adjusting the radius for spherical vesicles, nanofibers have more degrees of freedom in controlling the ratio by varying both the length and the cross-sectional radius. This adjustability is important for their application in drug delivery system in which the functional parameters need to be precisely controlled.<ref name="Sharifi" />

Preliminary studies indicate that antibiotics and anticancer drugs may be encapsulated in electrospun nanofibers by adding the drug into the polymer solution prior to electrospinning.<ref name="Hu">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hu X, Liu S, Zhou G, Huang Y, Xie Z, Jing X | title = Electrospinning of polymeric nanofibers for drug delivery applications | journal = Journal of Controlled Release | volume = 185 | pages = 12–21 | date = July 2014 | pmid = 24768792 | doi = 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.04.018 }}</ref><ref name="Yoo">{{cite journal | vauthors = Yoo HS, Kim TG, Park TG | title = Surface-functionalized electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering and drug delivery | journal = Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews | volume = 61 | issue = 12 | pages = 1033–42 | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19643152 | doi = 10.1016/j.addr.2009.07.007 }}</ref> Surface-loaded nanofiber scaffolds are useful as adhesion barriers between internal organs and tissues post-surgery.<ref name="Zong">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zong X, Li S, Chen E, Garlick B, Kim KS, Fang D, Chiu J, Zimmerman T, Brathwaite C, Hsiao BS, Chu B | display-authors = 6 | title = Prevention of postsurgery-induced abdominal adhesions by electrospun bioabsorbable nanofibrous poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-based membranes | journal = Annals of Surgery | volume = 240 | issue = 5 | pages = 910–5 | date = November 2004 | pmid = 15492575 | pmc = 1356499 | doi = 10.1097/01.sla.0000143302.48223.7e }}</ref><ref name="Kumbar">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kumbar SG, Nair LS, Bhattacharyya S, Laurencin CT | title = Polymeric nanofibers as novel carriers for the delivery of therapeutic molecules | journal = Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | volume = 6 | issue = 9–10 | pages = 2591–607 | date = 2006 | pmid = 17048469 | doi = 10.1166/jnn.2006.462 }}</ref> Adhesion occurs during the healing process and can bring on complications such as chronic pain and reoperation failure.<ref name="Zong" /><ref name="Kumbar" /><ref name="Ignatova">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ignatova M, Rashkov I, Manolova N | title = Drug-loaded electrospun materials in wound-dressing applications and in local cancer treatment | journal = Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery | volume = 10 | issue = 4 | pages = 469–83 | date = April 2013 | pmid = 23289491 | doi = 10.1517/17425247.2013.758103 | s2cid = 24627745 }}</ref>

===Cancer diagnosis===

Although [[Pathology|pathologic examination]] is the current standard method for molecular characterization in testing for the presence of [[biomarker]]s in tumors, these single-sample analyses fail to account for the diverse genomic nature of tumors.<ref name="Chen">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chen JF, Zhu Y, Lu YT, Hodara E, Hou S, Agopian VG, Tomlinson JS, Posadas EM, Tseng HR | display-authors = 6 | title = Clinical Applications of NanoVelcro Rare-Cell Assays for Detection and Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells | journal = Theranostics | volume = 6 | issue = 9 | pages = 1425–39 | date = 2016 | pmid = 27375790 | pmc = 4924510 | doi = 10.7150/thno.15359 }}</ref> Considering the invasive nature, psychological stress, and the financial burden resulting from repeated tumor biopsies in patients, biomarkers that could be judged through minimally invasive procedures, such as blood draws, constitute an opportunity for progression in precision medicine.

[[Liquid biopsy]] is an option that is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to solid tumor biopsy.<ref name="Chen" /><ref name="Ke">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ke Z, Lin M, Chen JF, Choi JS, Zhang Y, Fong A, Liang AJ, Chen SF, Li Q, Fang W, Zhang P, Garcia MA, Lee T, Song M, Lin HA, Zhao H, Luo SC, Hou S, Yu HH, Tseng HR | display-authors = 6 | title = Programming thermoresponsiveness of NanoVelcro substrates enables effective purification of circulating tumor cells in lung cancer patients | journal = ACS Nano | volume = 9 | issue = 1 | pages = 62–70 | date = January 2015 | pmid = 25495128 | pmc = 4310634 | doi = 10.1021/nn5056282 }}</ref> This is simply a blood draw that contains circulating tumor cells (CTCs) which are shed into the bloodstream from solid tumors. Patients with [[metastatic cancer]] are more likely to have detectable CTCs in the bloodstream but CTCs also exist in patients with localized diseases. It has been found that the number of CTCs present in the bloodstream of patients with metastatic prostate and colorectal cancer is prognostic of the overall survival of tumors.<ref name="Cristofanilli">{{cite journal | vauthors = Cristofanilli M, Hayes DF, Budd GT, Ellis MJ, Stopeck A, Reuben JM, Doyle GV, Matera J, Allard WJ, Miller MC, Fritsche HA, Hortobagyi GN, Terstappen LW | display-authors = 6 | title = Circulating tumor cells: a novel prognostic factor for newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer | journal = Journal of Clinical Oncology | volume = 23 | issue = 7 | pages = 1420–30 | date = March 2005 | pmid = 15735118 | doi = 10.1200/JCO.2005.08.140 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="Cohen">{{cite journal | vauthors = Cohen SJ, Punt CJ, Iannotti N, Saidman BH, Sabbath KD, Gabrail NY, Picus J, Morse M, Mitchell E, Miller MC, Doyle GV, Tissing H, Terstappen LW, Meropol NJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Relationship of circulating tumor cells to tumor response, progression-free survival, and overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer | journal = Journal of Clinical Oncology | volume = 26 | issue = 19 | pages = 3213–21 | date = July 2008 | pmid = 18591556 | doi = 10.1200/JCO.2007.15.8923 | url = https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/the-relationship-of-circulating-tumor-cells-to-tumor-response-progressionfree-survival-and-overall-survival-in-patients-with-metastatic-colorectal-cancer(45b03593-2227-4e98-8a44-ead38f8fa0b1).html }}</ref> CTCs also have been demonstrated to inform prognosis in earlier stages of the disease.<ref name="Rack">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rack B, Schindlbeck C, Jückstock J, Andergassen U, Hepp P, Zwingers T, Friedl TW, Lorenz R, Tesch H, Fasching PA, Fehm T, Schneeweiss A, Lichtenegger W, Beckmann MW, Friese K, Pantel K, Janni W | display-authors = 6 | title = Circulating tumor cells predict survival in early average-to-high risk breast cancer patients | journal = Journal of the National Cancer Institute | volume = 106 | issue = 5 | pages = 1–11 | date = May 2014 | pmid = 24832787 | pmc = 4112925 | doi = 10.1093/jnci/dju066 }}</ref>
[[File:CTC mechanism.png|thumb|CTC capture and release mechanism of third generation Thermoresponsive Chip.]]
Recently, Ke et al. developed a NanoVelcro chip that captures the CTCs from the blood samples.<ref name="Ke" /> When blood is passed through the chip, the nanofibers coated with protein antibodies bind to the proteins expressed on the surface of cancer cells and act like Velcro to trap CTCs for analysis. The NanoVelcro CTC assays underwent three generations of development. The first generation NanoVelcro Chip was created for CTC enumeration for cancer prognosis, staging, and dynamic monitoring.<ref name="Lu">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lu YT, Zhao L, Shen Q, Garcia MA, Wu D, Hou S, Song M, Xu X, Ouyang WH, Ouyang WW, Lichterman J, Luo Z, Xuan X, Huang J, Chung LW, Rettig M, Tseng HR, Shao C, Posadas EM | display-authors = 6 | title = NanoVelcro Chip for CTC enumeration in prostate cancer patients | journal = Methods | volume = 64 | issue = 2 | pages = 144–52 | date = December 2013 | pmid = 23816790 | pmc = 3834112 | doi = 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.06.019 }}</ref> The second generation NanoVelcro-LCM was developed for single-cell CTC isolation.<ref name="Jiang">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jiang R, Lu YT, Ho H, Li B, Chen JF, Lin M, Li F, Wu K, Wu H, Lichterman J, Wan H, Lu CL, OuYang W, Ni M, Wang L, Li G, Lee T, Zhang X, Yang J, Rettig M, Chung LW, Yang H, Li KC, Hou Y, Tseng HR, Hou S, Xu X, Wang J, Posadas EM | display-authors = 6 | title = A comparison of isolated circulating tumor cells and tissue biopsies using whole-genome sequencing in prostate cancer | journal = Oncotarget | volume = 6 | issue = 42 | pages = 44781–93 | date = December 2015 | pmid = 26575023 | pmc = 4792591 | doi = 10.18632/oncotarget.6330 }}</ref><ref name="Zhao">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhao L, Lu YT, Li F, Wu K, Hou S, Yu J, Shen Q, Wu D, Song M, OuYang WH, Luo Z, Lee T, Fang X, Shao C, Xu X, Garcia MA, Chung LW, Rettig M, Tseng HR, Posadas EM | display-authors = 6 | title = High-purity prostate circulating tumor cell isolation by a polymer nanofiber-embedded microchip for whole exome sequencing | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 25 | issue = 21 | pages = 2897–902 | date = June 2013 | pmid = 23529932 | pmc = 3875622 | doi = 10.1002/adma.201205237 | bibcode = 2013AdM....25.2897Z }}</ref> The individually isolated CTCs can be subjected to single-CTC genotyping. The third generation Thermoresponsive Chip allowed for CTC purification.<ref name="Ke" /><ref name="Hou">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hou S, Zhao H, Zhao L, Shen Q, Wei KS, Suh DY, Nakao A, Garcia MA, Song M, Lee T, Xiong B, Luo SC, Tseng HR, Yu HH | display-authors = 6 | title = Capture and stimulated release of circulating tumor cells on polymer-grafted silicon nanostructures | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 25 | issue = 11 | pages = 1547–51 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23255101 | pmc = 3786692 | doi = 10.1002/adma.201203185 | bibcode = 2013AdM....25.1547H }}</ref> The nanofiber polymer brushes undergo temperature-dependent conformational changes to capture and release CTCs.

===Lithium-air battery===

Among many advanced electrochemical energy storage devices, rechargeable [[Lithium-air battery|lithium-air batteries]] are of particular interest due to their considerable energy storing capacities and high power densities.<ref name="Zhang 3">{{cite journal| vauthors = Zhang B, Kang F, Tarascon JM, Kim JK |title=Recent advances in electrospun carbon nanofibers and their application in electrochemical energy storage|journal=Prog Mater Sci|date=2016|volume=76|pages=319–380|doi=10.1016/j.pmatsci.2015.08.002}}</ref><ref name="Economist">{{cite news|title=Lithium-air batteries: their time has come|url=https://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21703358-new-type-electrical-cell-may-displace-lithium-ion-design-their-time-has|newspaper=The Economist|date=Aug 6, 2016}}</ref> As the battery is being used, lithium [[ion]]s combine with oxygen from the air to form particles of [[lithium oxide]]s, which attach to [[carbon fibers]] on the electrode. During recharging, the lithium oxides separate again into lithium and oxygen which is released back into the atmosphere. This conversion sequence is highly inefficient because there is significant voltage difference of more than 1.2 volts between the output voltage and the charging voltage of the battery meaning that approximately 30% of the electrical energy is lost as heat when the battery is charging.<ref name="Zhang 3" /> Also the large volume changes resulting from continuous conversion of oxygen between its gaseous and solid state puts stress on the electrode and limits its lifetime.
[[File:Li-air-solidstate.jpg|thumb|Schematic of a lithium-air battery. For the nanofiber-based lithium-air battery, the cathode would be made up of carbon nanofibers.]]
The performance of these batteries depends on the characteristics of the material that makes up the [[cathode]]. Carbon materials have been widely used as cathodes because of their excellent electrical conductivities, large surface areas, and chemical stability.<ref name="Yang 2">{{cite journal| vauthors = Yang X, He P, Xia Y |title=Preparation of mesocellular carbon foam and its application for lithium/oxygen battery|journal=Electrochem Commun|date=2009|volume=11|issue=6|pages=1127–1130|doi=10.1016/j.elecom.2009.03.029}}</ref><ref name="Mitchell">{{cite journal| vauthors = Mitchell RR, Gallant BM, Thompson CV, Shao-Horn Y |title=All-carbon-nanofiber electrodes for high-energy rechargeable LiO2 batteries|journal=Energy Environ Sci|date=2011|volume=4|issue=8|pages=2952–2958|doi=10.1039/c1ee01496j|s2cid=96799565}}</ref> Especially relevant for lithium-air batteries, carbon materials act as substrates for supporting metal oxides. Binder-free electrospun carbon nanofibers are particularly good potential candidates to be used in electrodes in lithium-oxygen batteries because they have no binders, have open macroporous structures, have carbons that support and catalyze the oxygen reduction reactions, and have versatility.<ref name="Singhal">{{cite journal| vauthors = Singhal R, Kalra V |title=Binder-free hierarchically-porous carbon nanofibers decorated with cobalt nanoparticles as efficient cathodes for lithium-oxygen batteries|journal=RSC Adv|date=2016|volume=6|issue=105|pages=103072–103080|doi=10.1039/C6RA16874D|bibcode=2016RSCAd...6j3072S}}</ref>

Zhu et al. developed a novel cathode that can store lithium and oxygen in the electrode they named nanolithia which is a matrix of carbon nanofibers periodically embedded with [[Cobalt oxide nanoparticles|cobalt oxide]].<ref name="Zhu">{{cite journal| vauthors = Zhu Z, Kushima A, Yin Z, Qi L, Amine K, Lu J, Li J |title=Anion-redox nanolithia cathodes for Li-ion batteries|journal=Nature Energy|date=2016|volume=1|issue=8|pages=16111|doi=10.1038/nenergy.2016.111|bibcode=2016NatEn...116111Z|s2cid=366009}}</ref> These cobalt oxides provide stability to the normally unstable superoxide-containing nanolithia. In this design, oxygen is stored as LiO<sub>2</sub> and does not convert between gaseous and solid forms during charging and discharging. When the battery is discharging, lithium ions in nanolithia and react with superoxide oxygen the matrix to form Li<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and Li<sub>2</sub>O. The oxygen remains in its solid state as it transitions among these forms. The chemical reactions of these transitions provide electrical energy. During charging, the transitions occur in reverse.

===Optical sensors===

Polymer optical fibers have generated increasing interest in recent years.<ref name="Wang">{{cite journal| vauthors = Wang X, Drew C, Lee SH, Senecal KJ, Kumar J, Samuelson LA |title=Electrospun nanofibrous membranes for highly sensitive optical sensors|journal=Nano Lett|date=2002|volume=2|issue=11|pages=1273–1275|doi=10.1021/nl020216u|citeseerx=10.1.1.459.8052|bibcode=2002NanoL...2.1273W}}</ref><ref name="Yang 3">{{cite journal| vauthors = Yang Q, Jiang X, Gu F, Ma Z, Zhang J, Tong L |title=Polymer micro or nanofibers for optical device applications|journal=J Appl Polym Sci|date=2008|volume=110|issue=2|pages=1080–1084|doi=10.1002/app.28716}}</ref> Because of low cost, ease of handling, long [[wavelength]] transparency, great flexibility, and biocompatibility, polymer optical fibers show great potential for short-distance networking, optical sensing and power delivery.<ref name="Zubia">{{cite journal| vauthors = Zubia J, Arrue J |title=Plastic optical fibers: an introduction to their technological processes and applications|journal= Optical Fiber Technology|date=2001|volume=7|issue=2|pages=101–140|doi=10.1006/ofte.2000.0355|bibcode=2001OptFT...7..101Z}}</ref><ref name="Peters">{{cite journal| vauthors = Peters K |title=Polymer optical fiber sensors—a review|journal=Smart Mater Struct|date=2011|volume=20|issue=1|pages=013002|doi=10.1088/0964-1726/20/1/013002|bibcode=2011SMaS...20a3002P|s2cid=52238312}}</ref>

Electrospun nanofibers are particularly well-suitable for optical sensors because sensor sensitivity increases with increasing surface area per unit mass. Optical sensing works by detecting ions and molecules of interest via [[Fluorescence quenching|fluorescence quenching mechanism]]. Wang et al. successfully developed nanofibrous thin film optical sensors for metal ion (Fe<sup>3+</sup> and Hg<sup>2+</sup>) and [[2,4-Dinitrotoluene|2,4-dinitrotoluene]] (DNT) detection using the electrospinning technique.<ref name="Wang"/>

Quantum dots show useful optical and electrical properties, including high optical gain and [[Photochemical Reaction|photochemical]] stability. A variety of [[quantum dot]]s have been successfully incorporated into polymer nanofibers.<ref name="Liu">{{cite journal | vauthors = Liu H, Edel JB, Bellan LM, Craighead HG | title = Electrospun polymer nanofibers as subwavelength optical waveguides incorporating quantum dots | journal = Small | volume = 2 | issue = 4 | pages = 495–9 | date = April 2006 | pmid = 17193073 | doi = 10.1002/smll.200500432 }}</ref> Meng et al. showed that quantum dot-doped polymer nanofiber sensor for humidity detection shows fast response, high sensitivity, and long-term stability while requiring low power consumption.<ref name="Meng">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meng C, Xiao Y, Wang P, Zhang L, Liu Y, Tong L | title = Quantum-dot-doped polymer nanofibers for optical sensing | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 23 | issue = 33 | pages = 3770–4 | date = September 2011 | pmid = 21766349 | doi = 10.1002/adma.201101392 | s2cid = 6264401 }}</ref>

Kelly et al. developed a sensor that warns first responders when the carbon filters in their respirators have become saturated with toxic fume particles.<ref name="Kelly">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kelly TL, Gao T, Sailor MJ | title = Carbon and carbon/silicon composites templated in rugate filters for the adsorption and detection of organic vapors | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 23 | issue = 15 | pages = 1776–81 | date = April 2011 | pmid = 21374740 | doi = 10.1002/adma.201190052 | doi-access = free }}</ref> The respirators typically contain activated [[charcoal]] that traps airborne toxins. As the filters become saturated, chemicals begin to pass through and render the respirators useless. In order to easily determine when the filter is spent, Kelly and his team developed a mask equipped with a sensor composed of carbon nanofibers assembled into repeating structures called [[photonic crystal]]s that reflect specific wavelengths of light. The sensors exhibit an iridescent color that changes when the fibers absorb toxins.

===Air filtration===
[[File:Living Room 2.jpg|thumb|Paints and protective coatings on furniture contain volatile organic compounds such as toluene and formaldehyde.]]
Electrospun nanofibers are useful for removing [[volatile organic compound]]s (VOC) from the atmosphere. Scholten et al. showed that adsorption and desorption of VOC by electrospun nanofibrous membrane were faster than the rates of conventional activated carbon.<ref name="Scholten">{{cite journal | vauthors = Scholten E, Bromberg L, Rutledge GC, Hatton TA | title = Electrospun polyurethane fibers for absorption of volatile organic compounds from air | journal = ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces | volume = 3 | issue = 10 | pages = 3902–9 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 21888418 | doi = 10.1021/am200748y | hdl-access = free | hdl = 1721.1/81271 | s2cid = 7486858 }}</ref>

Airborne contamination in the personnel cabins of mining equipment is of concern to the mining workers, mining companies, and government agencies such as the [[Mine Safety and Health Administration]] (MSHA). Recent work with mining equipment manufacturers and the MSHA has shown that nanofiber filter media can reduce cabin dust concentration to a greater extent compared to standard [[cellulose]] filter media.<ref name="Graham">{{cite journal| vauthors = Graham K, Ouyang M, Raether T, Grafe T, McDonald B, Knauf P |title=Polymeric nanofibers in air filtration applications|journal=Fifteenth Annual Technical Conference & Expo of the American Filtration & Separations Society|date=2002}}</ref>

Nanofibers can be used in masks to protect people from [[virus]]es, [[bacteria]], [[smog]], [[dust]], [[allergen]]s and other particles. Filtration efficiency is at about 99.9% and the principle of filtration is mechanical. Particles in the air are bigger than pores in nanofiber web, but [[oxygen]] particles are small enough to pass through.

===Oil-water separation===
Nanofibers have the capabilities in oil–water separation, most particularly in sorption process when the material in use has the oleophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. These characteristic enable the nanofibers to be used as a tool to combat either oily waste- water from domestic household and industrial activities, or oily seawater due to the oil run down to the ocean from oil transportation activities and oil tank cleaning on a vessel.<ref name="Sarbatly R. 2016 8–16"/>

===Sportswear textile===
Sportswear textile with nanofiber membrane inside is based on the modern nanofiber technology where the core of the membrane consists of fibers with a diameter 1000× thinner than human hair. This extremely dense "sieve" with more than 2,5 billion of pores per square centimeter works much more efficiently with vapor removal and brings better level of water resistance. In the language of numbers, the nanofiber textile brings the following parameters:

·       RET 1.0 vapor permeability and 10,000&nbsp;mm water column (version preferring breathability)

·       RET 4.8 vapor permeability and 30,000&nbsp;mm water column (version preferring water resistance)

Nanofiber apparel and shoe membranes consist of [[polyurethane]] so its production is not harmful to nature. Membranes to sportswear made from nanofiber are [[Recycling|recyclable]].


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Science|Technology}}
* [[Subwavelength-diameter optical fiber]]
* [[Nanofiber seeding]]
* [[Nanofiber seeding]]
* [[Polyaniline nanofibers]]
*[http://www.nanofmgroup.com Nano FMG]industrial nanofiber membrane producer and industrial machine developer

*[http://people.cornell.edu/pages/jh433/ Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory] at [[ Cornell University]]
== References ==
# Electrospinning of Nanofibers: Thandavamoorthy Subbiah, G. S. Bhat, R. W. Tock, S. Parameswaran, S. S. Ramkumar, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Volume 96, Issue 2 (p 557-569) http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/109925432/PDFSTART
{{reflist}}
# Self-assembled honeycomb polyurethane nanofibers: S. Thandavamoorthy, N. Gopinath, S. S. Ramkumar Journal of Applied Polymer Science Volume 101, Issue 5 , Pages 3121 – 3124. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163 Funded by: U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112657386/ABSTRACT

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fibers]]
[[Category:Fibers]]
[[Category:Nanomaterials]]
[[Category:Nanoparticles by morphology]]
{{tech-stub}}
[[cs:Nanovlákno]]

Latest revision as of 21:28, 8 May 2024

Example of a cellulose nanofiber network.

Nanofibers are fibers with diameters in the nanometer range (typically, between 1 nm and 1 μm). Nanofibers can be generated from different polymers and hence have different physical properties and application potentials. Examples of natural polymers include collagen, cellulose, silk fibroin, keratin, gelatin and polysaccharides such as chitosan and alginate.[1][2] Examples of synthetic polymers include poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL),[3] polyurethane (PU), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (PEVA).[1][2] Polymer chains are connected via covalent bonds.[4] The diameters of nanofibers depend on the type of polymer used and the method of production.[5] All polymer nanofibers are unique for their large surface area-to-volume ratio, high porosity, appreciable mechanical strength, and flexibility in functionalization compared to their microfiber counterparts.[1][2][6]

There exist many different methods to make nanofibers, including drawing, electrospinning, self-assembly, template synthesis, and thermal-induced phase separation. Electrospinning is the most commonly used method to generate nanofibers because of the straightforward setup, the ability to mass-produce continuous nanofibers from various polymers, and the capability to generate ultrathin fibers with controllable diameters, compositions, and orientations.[6] This flexibility allows for controlling the shape and arrangement of the fibers so that different structures (i.e. hollow, flat and ribbon shaped) can be fabricated depending on intended application purposes.

Nanofibers have many possible technological and commercial applications. They are used in tissue engineering,[1][2][7] drug delivery,[8][9][10] seed coating material,[11][12][13] cancer diagnosis,[14][15][16] lithium-air battery,[17][18][19] optical sensors,[20][21][22] air filtration,[23][24][25] redox-flow batteries [26] and composite materials.[27]

History of nanofiber production

[edit]

Nanofibers were first produced via electrospinning more than four centuries ago.[28][29] Beginning with the development of the electrospinning method, English physicist William Gilbert (1544-1603) first documented the electrostatic attraction between liquids by preparing an experiment in which he observed a spherical water drop on a dry surface warp into a cone shape when it was held below an electrically charged amber.[30] This deformation later came to be known as the Taylor cone.[31] In 1882, English physicist Lord Rayleigh (1842-1919) analyzed the unstable states of liquid droplets that were electrically charged, and noted that the liquid was ejected in tiny jets when equilibrium was established between the surface tension and electrostatic force.[32] In 1887, British physicist Charles Vernon Boys (1855-1944) published a manuscript about nanofiber development and production.[33] In 1900, American inventor John Francis Cooley (1861-1903) filed the first modern electrospinning patent.[34]

Anton Formhals was the first person to attempt nanofiber production between 1934 and 1944 and publish the first patent describing the experimental production of nanofibers.[29] In 1966, Harold Simons published a patent for a device that could produce thin and light nanofiber fabrics with diverse motifs.[35]

Only at the end of the 20th century have the words electrospinning and nanofiber become common language among scientists and researchers.[28][29] Electrospinning continues to be developed today.

Synthesis methods

[edit]

Many chemical and mechanical techniques for preparing nanofibers exist.

Electrospinning

[edit]
Diagram of a general set-up of electrospinning.
Taylor cone from which jet of polymer solution is ejected.

Electrospinning is the most commonly used method to fabricate nanofibers.[36][6] [37][38][39][40] The instruments necessary for electrospinning include a high voltage supplier, a capillary tube with a pipette or needle with a small diameter, and a metal collecting screen. One electrode is placed into the polymer solution and the other electrode is attached to the collector. An electric field is applied to the end of the capillary tube that contains the polymer solution held by its surface tension and forms a charge on the surface of the liquid. As the intensity of the electric field increases, the hemispherical surface of the fluid at the tip of the capillary tube elongates to form a conical shape known as the Taylor cone. A critical value is attained upon further increase in the electric field in which the repulsive electrostatic force overcomes the surface tension and the charged jet of fluid is ejected from the tip of the Taylor cone. The discharged polymer solution jet is unstable and elongates as a result, allowing the jet to become very long and thin. Charged polymer fibers solidifies with solvent evaporation.[6][41] Randomly-oriented nanofibers are collected on the collector. Nanofibers can also be collected in a highly aligned fashion by using specialized collectors such as the rotating drum,[42] metal frame,[43] or a two-parallel plates system.[44] Parameters such as jet stream movement and polymer concentration have to be controlled to produce nanofibers with uniform diameters and morphologies.[45]

The electrospinning technique transforms many types of polymers into nanofibers. An electrospun nanofiber network resembles the extracellular matrix (ECM) well.[6][46][47] This resemblance is a major advantage of electrospinning because it opens up the possibility of mimicking the ECM with regards to fiber diameters, high porosity, and mechanical properties. Electrospinning is being further developed for mass production of one-by-one continuous nanofibers.[46]

Thermal-induced phase separation

[edit]

Thermal-induced phase separation separates a homogenous polymer solution into a multi-phase system via thermodynamic changes.[1][7][48] The procedure involves five steps: polymer dissolution, liquid-liquid or liquid-solid phase separation, polymer gelation, extraction of solvent from the gel with water, and freezing and freeze-drying under vacuum.[1][7] Thermal-induced phase separation method is widely used to generate scaffolds for tissue regeneration.[48]

The homogenous polymer solution in the first step is thermodynamically unstable and tends to separate into polymer-rich and polymer-lean phases under appropriate temperature. Eventually after solvent removal, the polymer-rich phase solidifies to form the matrix and the polymer-lean phase develops into pores.[citation needed] Next, two types of phase separation can be carried out on the polymer solution depending on the desired pattern. Liquid-liquid separation is usually used to form bicontinuous phase structures while solid-liquid phase separation is used to form crystal structures. The gelation step plays a crucial role in controlling the porous morphology of the nanofibrous matrices. Gelation is influenced by temperature, polymer concentration, and solvent properties.[48] Temperature regulates the structure of the fiber network: low gelation temperature results in formation of nanoscale fiber networks while high gelation temperature leads to the formation of a platelet-like structure.[1] Polymer concentration affects fiber properties: an increase in polymer concentration decreases porosity and increases mechanical properties such as tensile strength. Solvent properties influence morphology of the scaffolds. After gelation, gel is placed in distilled water for solvent exchange. Afterwards, the gel is removed from the water and goes through freezing and freeze-drying. It is then stored in a desiccator until characterization.

Drawing

[edit]

The drawing method makes long single strands of nanofibers one at a time. The pulling process is accompanied by solidification that converts the dissolved spinning material into a solid fiber.[46][49] A cooling step is necessary in the case of melt spinning and evaporation of solvent in the case of dry spinning. A limitation, however, is that only a viscoelastic material that can undergo extensive deformations while possessing sufficient cohesion to survive the stresses developed during pulling can be made into nanofibers through this process.[46][50]

Template synthesis

[edit]

The template synthesis method uses a nanoporous membrane template composed of cylindrical pores of uniform diameter to make fibrils (solid nanofiber) and tubules (hollow nanofiber).[51][52] This method can be used to prepare fibrils and tubules of many types of materials, including metals, semiconductors and electronically conductive polymers.[51][52] The uniform pores allow for control of the dimensions of the fibers so nanofibers with very small diameters can be produced through this method. However, a drawback of this method is that it cannot make continuous nanofibers one at a time.

Self-assembly

[edit]

The self-assembly technique is used to generate peptide nanofibers and peptide amphiphiles. The method was inspired by the natural folding process of amino acid residues to form proteins with unique three-dimensional structures.[53] The self-assembly process of peptide nanofibers involves various driving forces such as hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces and is influenced by external conditions such as ionic strength and pH.[54]

Polymer materials

[edit]
Collagen fibers in a cross-sectional area of dense connective tissue.

Due to their high porosity and large surface area-to-volume ratio, nanofibers are widely used to construct scaffolds for biological applications.[1][2] Major examples of natural polymers used in scaffold production are collagen, cellulose, silk fibroin, keratin, gelatin and polysaccharides such as chitosan and alginate. Collagen is a natural extracellular component of many connective tissues. Its fibrillary structure, which varies in diameter from 50-500 nm, is important for cell recognition, attachment, proliferation and differentiation.[2] Using type I collagen nanofibers produced via electrospinning, Shih et al. found that the engineered collagen scaffold showed an increase in cell adhesion and decrease in cell migration with increasing fiber diameter.[55] Using silk scaffolds as a guide for growth for bone tissue regeneration, Kim et al. observed complete bone union after 8 weeks and complete healing of defects after 12 weeks whereas the control in which the bone did not have the scaffold displayed limited mending of defects in the same time period.[56] Similarly, keratin, gelatin, chitosan and alginate demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity in scaffolds.[2]

However, cellular recognition of natural polymers can easily initiate an immune response.[2][47] Consequently, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyurethane (PU), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), and poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (PEVA) have been developed as alternatives for integration into scaffolds. Being biodegradable and biocompatible, these synthetic polymers can be used to form matrices with a fiber diameter within the nanometer range. Out of these synthetic polymers, PCL has generated considerable enthusiasm among researchers.[57] PCL is a type of biodegradable polyester that can be prepared via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone using catalysts. It shows low toxicity, low cost and slow degradation. PCL can be combined with other materials such as gelatin, collagen, chitosan, and calcium phosphate to improve the differentiation and proliferation capacity (2, 17).[2][57] PLLA is another popular synthetic polymer. PLLA is well known for its superior mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility. It shows efficient cell migration ability due to its high spatial interconnectivity, high porosity and controlled alignment.[58] A blend of PLLA and PLGA scaffold matrix has shown proper biomimetic structure, good mechanical strength and favorable bioactivity.

Applications

[edit]

Tissue engineering

[edit]
Bone matrix composed of collagen fibrils. Nanofiber scaffolds are able to mimic such structure.

In tissue engineering, a highly porous artificial extracellular matrix is needed to support and guide cell growth and tissue regeneration.[1][2][59][60] Natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers have been used to create such scaffolds.[1][2]

Simon, in a 1988 NIH SBIR grant report, showed that electrospinning could be used to produce nano- and submicron-scale polystyrene and polycarbonate fibrous mats specifically intended for use as in vitro cell substrates. This early use of electrospun fibrous lattices for cell culture and tissue engineering showed that Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFF), transformed Human Carcinoma (HEp-2), and Mink Lung Epithelium (MLE) would adhere to and proliferate upon the fibers.[61][62]

Nanofiber scaffolds are used in bone tissue engineering to mimic the natural extracellular matrix of the bones.[7] The bone tissue is arranged either in a compact or trabecular pattern and composed of organized structures that vary in length from the centimeter range all the way to the nanometer scale. Nonmineralized organic component (i.e. type 1 collagen), mineralized inorganic component (i.e. hydroxyapatite), and many other noncollagenous matrix proteins (i.e. glycoproteins and proteoglycans) make up the nanocomposite structure of the bone ECM.[59] The organic collagen fibers and the inorganic mineral salts provide flexibility and toughness, respectively, to ECM.

Although the bone is a dynamic tissue that can self-heal upon minor injuries, it cannot regenerate after experiencing large defects such as bone tumor resections and severe nonunion fractures because it lacks the appropriate template.[1][7] Currently, the standard treatment is autografting which involves obtaining the donor bone from a non-significant and easily accessible site (i.e. iliac crest) in the patient own body and transplanting it into the defective site. Transplantation of autologous bone has the best clinical outcome because it integrates reliably with the host bone and can avoid complications with the immune system.[63] But its use is limited by its short supply and donor site morbidity associated with the harvest procedure.[59] Furthermore, autografted bones are avascular and hence are dependent on diffusion for nutrients, which affects their viability in the host.[63] The grafts can also be resorbed before osteogenesis is complete due to high remodeling rates in the body.[59][63] Another strategy for treating severe bone damage is allografting which transplants bones harvested from a human cadaver. However, allografts introduce the risk of disease and infection in the host.[63]

Bone tissue engineering presents a versatile response to treat bone injuries and deformations. Nanofibers produced via electrospinning mimics the architecture and characteristics of natural extracellular matrix particularly well. These scaffolds can be used to deliver bioactive agents that promote tissue regeneration.[2] These bioactive materials should ideally be osteoinductive, osteoconductive, and osseointegratable.[59] Bone substitute materials intended to replace autologous or allogeneic bone consist of bioactive ceramics, bioactive glasses, and biological and synthetic polymers. The basis of bone tissue engineering is that the materials will be resorbed and replaced over time by the body’s own newly regenerated biological tissue.[60]

Tissue engineering is not only limited to the bone: a large amount of research is devoted to cartilage,[64] ligament,[65] skeletal muscle,[66] skin,[67] blood vessel,[68] and neural tissue engineering[69] as well.

Drug delivery

[edit]
Drugs and biopolymers can be loaded onto nanofibers via simple adsorption, nanoparticles adsorption, and multilayer assembly.

Successful delivery of therapeutics to the intended target largely depends on the choice of the drug carrier. The criteria for an ideal drug carrier include maximum effect upon delivery of the drug to the target organ, evasion of the immune system of the body in the process of reaching the organ, retention of the therapeutic molecules from preparatory stages to the final delivery of the drug, and proper release of the drug for exertion of the intended therapeutic effect.[8] Nanofibers are under study as a possible drug carrier candidate.[9][10][70] Natural polymers such as gelatin and alginate make for good fabrication biomaterials for carrier nanofibers because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability that result in no harm to the tissue of the host and no toxic accumulation in the human body, respectively. Due to their cylindrical morphology, nanofibers possess a high surface area-to-volume ratio. As a result, the fibers possess high drug-loading capacity and may release therapeutic molecules over a large surface area.[8][47] Whereas surface area to volume ratio can only be controlled by adjusting the radius for spherical vesicles, nanofibers have more degrees of freedom in controlling the ratio by varying both the length and the cross-sectional radius. This adjustability is important for their application in drug delivery system in which the functional parameters need to be precisely controlled.[8]

Preliminary studies indicate that antibiotics and anticancer drugs may be encapsulated in electrospun nanofibers by adding the drug into the polymer solution prior to electrospinning.[71][72] Surface-loaded nanofiber scaffolds are useful as adhesion barriers between internal organs and tissues post-surgery.[73][74] Adhesion occurs during the healing process and can bring on complications such as chronic pain and reoperation failure.[73][74][75]

Cancer diagnosis

[edit]

Although pathologic examination is the current standard method for molecular characterization in testing for the presence of biomarkers in tumors, these single-sample analyses fail to account for the diverse genomic nature of tumors.[14] Considering the invasive nature, psychological stress, and the financial burden resulting from repeated tumor biopsies in patients, biomarkers that could be judged through minimally invasive procedures, such as blood draws, constitute an opportunity for progression in precision medicine.

Liquid biopsy is an option that is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to solid tumor biopsy.[14][15] This is simply a blood draw that contains circulating tumor cells (CTCs) which are shed into the bloodstream from solid tumors. Patients with metastatic cancer are more likely to have detectable CTCs in the bloodstream but CTCs also exist in patients with localized diseases. It has been found that the number of CTCs present in the bloodstream of patients with metastatic prostate and colorectal cancer is prognostic of the overall survival of tumors.[16][76] CTCs also have been demonstrated to inform prognosis in earlier stages of the disease.[77]

CTC capture and release mechanism of third generation Thermoresponsive Chip.

Recently, Ke et al. developed a NanoVelcro chip that captures the CTCs from the blood samples.[15] When blood is passed through the chip, the nanofibers coated with protein antibodies bind to the proteins expressed on the surface of cancer cells and act like Velcro to trap CTCs for analysis. The NanoVelcro CTC assays underwent three generations of development. The first generation NanoVelcro Chip was created for CTC enumeration for cancer prognosis, staging, and dynamic monitoring.[78] The second generation NanoVelcro-LCM was developed for single-cell CTC isolation.[79][80] The individually isolated CTCs can be subjected to single-CTC genotyping. The third generation Thermoresponsive Chip allowed for CTC purification.[15][81] The nanofiber polymer brushes undergo temperature-dependent conformational changes to capture and release CTCs.

Lithium-air battery

[edit]

Among many advanced electrochemical energy storage devices, rechargeable lithium-air batteries are of particular interest due to their considerable energy storing capacities and high power densities.[17][18] As the battery is being used, lithium ions combine with oxygen from the air to form particles of lithium oxides, which attach to carbon fibers on the electrode. During recharging, the lithium oxides separate again into lithium and oxygen which is released back into the atmosphere. This conversion sequence is highly inefficient because there is significant voltage difference of more than 1.2 volts between the output voltage and the charging voltage of the battery meaning that approximately 30% of the electrical energy is lost as heat when the battery is charging.[17] Also the large volume changes resulting from continuous conversion of oxygen between its gaseous and solid state puts stress on the electrode and limits its lifetime.

Schematic of a lithium-air battery. For the nanofiber-based lithium-air battery, the cathode would be made up of carbon nanofibers.

The performance of these batteries depends on the characteristics of the material that makes up the cathode. Carbon materials have been widely used as cathodes because of their excellent electrical conductivities, large surface areas, and chemical stability.[19][82] Especially relevant for lithium-air batteries, carbon materials act as substrates for supporting metal oxides. Binder-free electrospun carbon nanofibers are particularly good potential candidates to be used in electrodes in lithium-oxygen batteries because they have no binders, have open macroporous structures, have carbons that support and catalyze the oxygen reduction reactions, and have versatility.[83]

Zhu et al. developed a novel cathode that can store lithium and oxygen in the electrode they named nanolithia which is a matrix of carbon nanofibers periodically embedded with cobalt oxide.[84] These cobalt oxides provide stability to the normally unstable superoxide-containing nanolithia. In this design, oxygen is stored as LiO2 and does not convert between gaseous and solid forms during charging and discharging. When the battery is discharging, lithium ions in nanolithia and react with superoxide oxygen the matrix to form Li2O2, and Li2O. The oxygen remains in its solid state as it transitions among these forms. The chemical reactions of these transitions provide electrical energy. During charging, the transitions occur in reverse.

Optical sensors

[edit]

Polymer optical fibers have generated increasing interest in recent years.[20][21] Because of low cost, ease of handling, long wavelength transparency, great flexibility, and biocompatibility, polymer optical fibers show great potential for short-distance networking, optical sensing and power delivery.[22][85]

Electrospun nanofibers are particularly well-suitable for optical sensors because sensor sensitivity increases with increasing surface area per unit mass. Optical sensing works by detecting ions and molecules of interest via fluorescence quenching mechanism. Wang et al. successfully developed nanofibrous thin film optical sensors for metal ion (Fe3+ and Hg2+) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) detection using the electrospinning technique.[20]

Quantum dots show useful optical and electrical properties, including high optical gain and photochemical stability. A variety of quantum dots have been successfully incorporated into polymer nanofibers.[86] Meng et al. showed that quantum dot-doped polymer nanofiber sensor for humidity detection shows fast response, high sensitivity, and long-term stability while requiring low power consumption.[87]

Kelly et al. developed a sensor that warns first responders when the carbon filters in their respirators have become saturated with toxic fume particles.[23] The respirators typically contain activated charcoal that traps airborne toxins. As the filters become saturated, chemicals begin to pass through and render the respirators useless. In order to easily determine when the filter is spent, Kelly and his team developed a mask equipped with a sensor composed of carbon nanofibers assembled into repeating structures called photonic crystals that reflect specific wavelengths of light. The sensors exhibit an iridescent color that changes when the fibers absorb toxins.

Air filtration

[edit]
Paints and protective coatings on furniture contain volatile organic compounds such as toluene and formaldehyde.

Electrospun nanofibers are useful for removing volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the atmosphere. Scholten et al. showed that adsorption and desorption of VOC by electrospun nanofibrous membrane were faster than the rates of conventional activated carbon.[24]

Airborne contamination in the personnel cabins of mining equipment is of concern to the mining workers, mining companies, and government agencies such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Recent work with mining equipment manufacturers and the MSHA has shown that nanofiber filter media can reduce cabin dust concentration to a greater extent compared to standard cellulose filter media.[25]

Nanofibers can be used in masks to protect people from viruses, bacteria, smog, dust, allergens and other particles. Filtration efficiency is at about 99.9% and the principle of filtration is mechanical. Particles in the air are bigger than pores in nanofiber web, but oxygen particles are small enough to pass through.

Oil-water separation

[edit]

Nanofibers have the capabilities in oil–water separation, most particularly in sorption process when the material in use has the oleophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. These characteristic enable the nanofibers to be used as a tool to combat either oily waste- water from domestic household and industrial activities, or oily seawater due to the oil run down to the ocean from oil transportation activities and oil tank cleaning on a vessel.[37]

Sportswear textile

[edit]

Sportswear textile with nanofiber membrane inside is based on the modern nanofiber technology where the core of the membrane consists of fibers with a diameter 1000× thinner than human hair. This extremely dense "sieve" with more than 2,5 billion of pores per square centimeter works much more efficiently with vapor removal and brings better level of water resistance. In the language of numbers, the nanofiber textile brings the following parameters:

·       RET 1.0 vapor permeability and 10,000 mm water column (version preferring breathability)

·       RET 4.8 vapor permeability and 30,000 mm water column (version preferring water resistance)

Nanofiber apparel and shoe membranes consist of polyurethane so its production is not harmful to nature. Membranes to sportswear made from nanofiber are recyclable.

See also

[edit]

References

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