Electrospinning: the challenges in developing nanometer-scale fibers and their applications in materials engineering (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Electrospinning is a material processing technique used to produce nanofibers through the application of an electric field and has an interesting history full of developments over time. From its first applications to the most recent advances, electrospinning has been the subject of intense research and study. Over the years, interest in the technique has grown considerably, reflected in the significant increase in the number of scientific publications on the subject. This exponential growth in the volume of research demonstrates the importance and relevance of this technique in science and industry. There is a wide range of options regarding materials that can be electrospun, such as polymers, metals and ceramics, which are just a few examples of the materials that can be transformed into nanofibers through this process. Such diversity offers several possibilities for different applications, through the prior study and adjustment of electrospinning operational parameters that play a fundamental role in determining the characteristics of the nanofibers produced. Factors such as voltage, flow rate and distance between needle and collector can be regulated to control nanofiber properties such as diameter, morphology and distribution. The applications of the produced nanofibers cover a variety of fields. In medicine, tissue engineering, electronic devices, nanofibers serve as a framework for the new design and improvement of many technologies, such as air and water filtration, flexible electronics, piezoelectric and gas detection sensors, photovoltaic devices, materials composites for adsorption, among other fields.