Structural design toward functional materials by electrospinning: A review

Gaigai Duan,Wenhui Xu,Hongtao Guo,Li Liu,Xiuling Yang,Jingwen Wang

doi:10.1515/epoly-2020-0068

Abstract

Abstract Electrospinning as one of the most versatile technologies have attracted a lot of scientists’ interests in past decades due to its great diversity of fabricating nanofibers featuring high aspect ratio, large specific surface area, flexibility, structural abundance, and surface functionality. Remarkable progress has been made in terms of the versatile structures of electrospun fibers and great functionalities to enable a broad spectrum of applications. In this article, the electrospun fibers with different structures and their applications are reviewed. First, several kinds of electrospun fibers with different structures are presented. Then the applications of various structural electrospun fibers in different fields, including catalysis, drug release, batteries, and supercapacitors, are reviewed. Finally, the application prospect and main challenges of electrospun fibers are discussed. We hope that this review will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the structural design and applications of electrospun fibers in different fields.

Highlights

Electrospinning as one of the most versatile technologies have attracted a lot of scientists’ interests in past decades due to its great diversity of fabricating nanofibers featuring high aspect ratio, large specific surface area, flexibility, structural abundance, and surface functionality
The porous electrospun fiber possesses higher porosity and specific surface area, which broadens the application of the fiber material in various fields
In addition to the above applications, electrospun fibers are used in self-repairing materials, shape memory materials, 3D printing, oil–water separation, air filtration, nanogenerators, flexible electronics skin, food packaging, tissue engineering, self-cleaning materials, and other fields

Summary

Introduction

Abstract: Electrospinning as one of the most versatile technologies have attracted a lot of scientists’ interests in past decades due to its great diversity of fabricating nanofibers featuring high aspect ratio, large specific surface area, flexibility, structural abundance, and surface functionality. The applications of various structural electrospun fibers in different fields, including catalysis, drug release, batteries, and supercapacitors, are reviewed.

Different structures by electrospinning

Normal electrospun fibers

Porous electrospun fibers

Core–shell electrospun fibers

Hollow electrospun fibers

Janus electrospun fibers

Triaxial electrospun fibers

Others

Functional applications of structural electrospun fibers

Drug release

Catalysis

Reinforced composites