Chapter 2 - Organic–inorganic micro/nanofiber composites for biomedical applications

Abstract

In recent years, use of glass fibers including mats and fabrics for thermal, electrical and sound insulation, high-strength fabrics or heat- and corrosion-resistant fabrics instruments (optical fiber) and as biomedical implants is increasing rapidly. Various methods such as modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD), melt spinning, sol-gel process, extrusion, self-assembly, laser-spinning and electro-spinning have been widely researched as very simple and versatile methods for drawing fibers. For example, in electro-spinning, large electric field was used to induce an electric jet of a viscous solution. In the past decade, this procedure has been extensively and successfully explored by changing parameters to generate fibers from a broad range of polymers, including engineering plastics, biopolymers, conducting polymers, block copolymers, and polymer blends. Ceramic/glass materials are also being explored using this method. In biomedical applications fibers are mainly used for their osteogenic properties and soft/hard tissue/wound healing. The unique properties of fibers [including high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, adjustable pore size and morphological similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM)] have proven its potentiality for biomedical and drug delivery applications.