Combination Of Electrospinning Research Articles

Antibacterial cellulose-based membrane with heat dissipation and liquid transportation for food packaging applications

Food spoilage, caused by fungi and bacteria, has drawn increasing attention due to the lack of suitable temperature and humidity control, resulting in food waste and health risks. It is still a great challenge to develop green packaging materials with excellent antibacterial activities and effective temperature/humidity control for food preservation. Herein, a new strategy is proposed to obtain food packaging material with antibacterial ability, heat dissipation, and liquid transportation functions. In this strategy, Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH)@cellulose was obtained by extracting cellulose from sugarcane husks, followed by in-situ growth of LDH nanosheets on the surface of cellulose. Then, asymmetric structured packaging material, namely cellulose acetate/LDH@cellulose (CALC) membrane, was prepared by the combination of electrospinning and hydrophobic modification. The characterization results confirmed that the CALC membrane exhibits asymmetric surface structure and wettability properties, endowing heat dissipation and liquid transportation for food packaging applications. Due to the asymmetric reflectivity and infrared emissivity, the CALC membrane exhibited excellent heat dissipation properties with a surface temperature of 10.3℃, which is lower than that of commercial food packaging material. Furthermore, the excellent liquid transport properties of the CALC membrane are demonstrated by the fact that water can penetrate from the hydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side within 32s, providing the appropriate storage temperature and dry environment for foods. In addition, compared with PE film, the CALC membrane also has antibacterial properties and UV resistance, which is beneficial to improving the storage conditions for foods. This study shows that the developed CALC membrane and corresponding design strategy can be extended for the preparation of other packaging materials for applications in research and food industrial fields.

Redox Activity of Co Species in the Active Sites of CoNx/CoOx Facilitates Oxygen Electrocatalysis for Zn-Air Batteries.

Developing efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is crucial for enhancing the performance of rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). In this study, cobalt/cobalt oxides embedded in N-doped carbon nanofibers (Co/CoOx/NCNFs) were synthesized through a combination of electrospinning and annealing processes. The resulting Co/CoOx/NCNFs catalysts feature abundant CoNx and CoOx active species, leveraging the large specific surface area of nanofibers to facilitate oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The optimized Co/CoOx/NCNFs-0.1 achieved a half-wave potential (vs. RHE) of 0.82 V and required only 429 mV to reach 10 mA cm-2 in a typical three-electrode system with 0.1 M KOH using an electrochemical workstation equipped with a pine instruments rotator, outperforming the Pt/C+RuO2. The assembled ZABs exhibited high specific capacity (771 mAh gZn -1), substantial power density (981.6 mWh gZn -1), and long-term stability (>325 h). In situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the electrocatalytic processes involve the redox activity of Co (II and III) species derived from abundant CoNx and CoOx, elaborating the origin of the catalysts' exceptional oxygen electrocatalysis performance. This work not only presents a straightforward and effective approach for producing bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts in ZABs but also sheds light on the catalytic mechanisms underlying ORR and OER for CoNx/CoOx-based oxygen electrocatalysts.

Facile fabrication of carbon nanotubes/zinc oxide decorated poly(vinyl alcohol) electrospun nanofiber membrane and its photocatalytic performance

AbstractThe carbon nanotubes/zinc oxide (CNTs/ZnO) nanocomposites were immobilized on the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membrane for highly reutilization rate in photocatalytic degradation of RhodamineB (RhB) based on the combination of electrospinning and ultrasonication treatment. The results revealed that the CNTs are successfully compounded with ZnO, and the surface of nanofibers was uniformly covered with CNTs/ZnO nanoparticles. Under visible light irradiation, the CNTs/ZnO@PVA nanocomposites displayed excellent photocatalytic activity with 98.4% of RhB degradation rate within 3 h illumination. In comparison with pure PVA, and CNTs/ZnO with equivalent loading capacity on CNTs/ZnO@PVA film suspended in aqueous solution, the synthesized CNTs/ZnO@PVA film degrades RhB dye more efficiently. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of CNTs/ZnO@PVA nanocomposites did not change significantly even after five recycles, indicating a certain degree of reusability. The mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed. The as‐prepared flexible CNTs/ZnO@PVA nanocomposites could be employed as a promising material for the practical photocatalytic degradation of wastewater.

Hierarchically structured poly(lactic acid) nanofibers by organic–inorganic nanohybridization strategy towards efficient PM removal and respiratory monitoring

Despite the enormous potential in efficient removal of airborne PMs by biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiberous membranes (NFMs), current manufacturing methods still have large function gaps in providing reliable control over the fiber microstructure, membrane morphology or electret properties. Herein, the concept of organic–inorganic nanohybridization, strategically involving the combined electrospinning of PLA/TiO2 and electrospray of ZIF-8 nanodielectrics, was conceived to engender PLA NFMs (PLA/TIO@ZIF) featuring largely promoted electroactivity and surface activity, as exemplified by the increased dielectric constant and surface potential (up to 3.47 and 8.5 kV, respectively). This conferred the PLA/TIO@ZIF NFMs remarkable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) properties, yielding the output voltage as high as 17.9 V at 10 N and 1 Hz, and output current of 39.6 nA as driven by the humanoid respiration. Given impressive in situ electret performance and charge regeneration capability, the PLA/TIO@ZIF NFMs enabled ultrahigh PM0.3 filtering properties (90.4 %, 175 Pa, 85 L/min), accompanied by increased resistance to humidity (92.1 % removal of PM0.3, RH90 %, 32 L/min). Moreover, perfect 100 % inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus was achieved for PLA/TIO@ZIF, arising mainly from the plentiful surface charges and ROS generation. It is envisioned that the hierarchically nanostructured NFMs, offering the exceptional function integration, are highly appealing for long-term air purification and self-powered respiratory monitoring.

Two birds with one stone: Co/Fe bi-MOFs@PAN nanofiber aerogel films for efficient degradation of organic contaminants and separation of emulsions

The development of materials for effective treatment of complex water is in high demand, but remains challenging. In this study, a multifunctional Co/Fe bi-MOFs decorated polyacrylonitrile nanofiber aerogel film was rationally designed and fabricated using a combination of electrospinning, freeze-drying, and subsequent in-situ hydrothermal methods. The NAF has a hierarchically porous architecture and is capable of degrading dyes and separating oil-in-water emulsions. The results demonstrate that the NAF has outstanding catalytic performance in peroxymonosulfate activation for methylene blue degradation, with a degradation efficiency of above 99.74 % and a reaction rate of 0.0911 min−1 within 40 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and quenching tests revealed that sulfate radical, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and superoxide radical are all involved in the degradation of MB and sulfate radical is the major reactive species. Furthermore, the composite NAF can separate oil-in-water emulsions with superior efficiency of above 99.85 % and desirable flux higher than 422 L·m−2·h−1, due to its hierarchically porous architecture and remarkable wettability. The composite NAF displays robust reusability and stability for long-term use. This study demonstrates the benefits of integrating advanced oxidation processes with membrane technology and provides novel perspectives into the evolution of multifunctional materials for complex wastewater treatment.

Lightweight Carbon-Metal-Based Fabric Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion battery electrodes are typically manufactured via slurry casting, which involves mixing active material particles, conductive carbon, and a polymeric binder in a solvent, followed by casting and drying the coating on current collectors (Al or Cu). These electrodes are functional but still limited in terms of pore network percolation, electronic connectivity, and mechanical stability, leading to poor electron/ion conductivities and mechanical integrity upon cycling, which result in battery degradation. To address this, we fabricate trichome-like carbon-iron fabrics via a combination of electrospinning and pyrolysis. Compared with slurry cast Fe2O3 and graphite-based electrodes, the carbon-iron fabric (CMF) electrode provides enhanced high-rate capacity (10C and above) and stability, for both half cell and full cell testing (the latter with a standard lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) cathode). Further, the CMFs are free-standing and lightweight; therefore, future investigation may include scaling this as an anode material for pouch cells and 18,650 cylindrical batteries.

Nitrogen-doped carbon microfibers decorated with palladium and palladium oxide nanoparticles for high-concentration hydrogen sensing

Hydrogen (H2) sensing materials with tuned geometrical shapes and dopants may contribute to H2 sensing performance, however, their synthetic approaches need further exploring. Here, shape-controlled nitrogen-doped carbon microfibers decorated with palladium and palladium oxide nanoparticles (Pd/PdO NPs@C/N MFs) have been prepared by combined electrospinning, annealing and chemical deposition. Typically, the C/N MFs of ∼224 nm in diameter are observed with amorphous crystallization, around which the Pd/PdO NPs (∼20 nm in diameter) are randomly decorated. Beneficially, Pd/PdO NPs@C/N MFs present high-concentration sensing toward 0.01–30 v/v% H2 at room temperature. Theoretically, the nitrogen dopants in PVP contribute to anchoring the growth of Pd/PdO NPs, leading to stable decoration on the surface of MFs. The excellent sensing performance might be interpreted as the synergistic effect that Pd/PdO NPs@C/N MFs expose more adsorption sites, Pd adsorbs H2 to form PdHx intermediates, PdO alters the electronic state of Pd to assist the adsorption of H2, and C/N MFs serve as the support and boost the electron transfer. Practically, the simulation utilizing Pd/PdO NPs@C/N MFs to detect H2 leakage has been conducted with reliable sensing.

Environment-Friendly Preparation and Characterization of Multilayered Conductive PVP/Col/CS Composite Doped with Nanoparticles as Potential Nerve Guide Conduits.

Tissue engineering constitutes the most promising method of severe peripheral nerve injuries treatment and is considered as an alternative to autografts. To provide appropriate conditions during recovery special biomaterials called nerve guide conduits are required. An ideal candidate for this purpose should not only be biocompatible and protect newly forming tissue but also promote the recovery process. In this article a novel, multilayered biomaterial based on polyvinylpyrrolidone, collagen and chitosan of gradient structure modified with conductive nanoparticles is presented. Products were obtained by the combination of electrospinning and electrospraying techniques. Nerve guide conduits were subjected to FT-IR analysis, morphology and elemental composition study using SEM/EDS as well as biodegradation. Furthermore, their effect on 1321N1 human cell line was investigated by long-term cell culture. Lack of cytotoxicity was confirmed by XTT assay and morphology study. Obtained results confirmed a high potential of newly developed biomaterials in the field of nerve tissue regeneration with a special focus on injured nerves recovery.

Carbon fiber reinforced composites with self‐sensing and self‐healing capabilities enabled by CNT‐modified nanofibers

AbstractCarbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with self‐sensing and self‐healing capabilities was developed in this work. Uniform dispersion of CNTs within a core‐shell nanofiber structure was achieved through a combination of electrospinning and subsequent surface spraying of CNTs. The resulting core‐shell nanofibers were incorporated into CFRP composites using a vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process. Mechanical testing demonstrated improved mechanical properties in the composites treated with CNT spraying. Real‐time, precise monitoring of structural damage was enabled through the measurement of electrical signal changes caused by composite deformation in static loading experiments. Furthermore, self‐healing experiments demonstrated that the thermally conductive network formed by CNTs facilitated more uniform heat transfer within the composites. During the healing process, resistive heating of damaged specimens was applied, resulting in a remarkable healing efficiency of 95.2%. The experiments indicate that the composite developed in this paper possess excellent self‐sensing and self‐healing capabilities.Highlights Damage self‐sensing and self‐healing CFRP composites were developed. CNTs‐modified nanofibers were applied to endow the composite specific abilities. Resistivity signals were collected for real‐time damage monitoring. The self‐healing efficiency of the designed composite reached up to 95.2%. Self‐sensing and self‐healing occurred autonomously within closed‐loop structure.

Polyurethane composite films with self-assembled graphene fluoride: Constructing conductive pathways for thermal management with electrical insulation

Polymer composites incorporating carbon-based fillers have been demonstrated to have high thermal conductivity (TC), yet their high electrical conductivity restricts their utility in electronic devices. As a solution to this issue, we report graphene fluoride (GF) incorporated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites that are both thermally conductive and electrically insulating. The TPU composites, engineered for both high TC and electrical insulation while maintaining flexibility, were fabricated using a combination of electrospinning, dip-coating, and hot-pressing techniques. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various dip-coating cycles on the in-plane thermal conductivity (λ∥) of GF@TPU composites. Noticeably, GF@TPU composites exhibited an outstanding TC, reaching up to 13.5 W m−1 K−1 with 10 vol% GF loading, marking a 75-fold increase compared to the neat TPU films. Moreover, the GF@TPU composites exhibited an electrically insulating property of 6.5 × 1010 Ω/m. This work provides a promising strategy to make thermally conductive composites with electrical insulation for thermal management in smart electronics.

An optimized impedance matching construction strategy: carbon nanofibers inlaid with Ni nanocrystals by electrospinning for high-performance microwave absorber.

With the widespread use of electronic goods, solving electromagnetic pollution has become one of the new challenges. Higher requirements for microwave-absorbing materials (MAM) have emerged to address this issue. The composite of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and magnetic nanoparticles is the material that effectively absorbs microwaves. This paper fabricated Ni/C nanofibers using a combination of electrospinning and high-temperature carbonization. With 50 wt% paraffin wax, Ni/C nanofibers demonstrated optimal microwave absorption capabilities. With a thickness of 3 mm, the minimum RL value can reach -30.6 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth is 5.96 GHz. By encapsulating Ni nanoparticles in carbon nanofibers, the synergic interaction of dielectric and magnetic losses effectively meets the need for constant attenuation and impedance matching, and effectively improves microwave-absorbing properties. Hence, Ni/C nanofibers are promising for MAM application with excellent MA performance.

Magnetically separable CuFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction photocatalyst for simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and CIP

Although photocatalytic has been widely applied for wastewater treatment, there is still a need to develop highly efficient materials capable of simultaneous removal of pollutants and heavy metal ions. This study used a combination of electrospinning and solvothermal methods to prepare CuFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 (CFO/ZIS) heterojunction photocatalysts, and studied their photocatalytic performance in a Cr(VI)-Ciprofloxacin (CIP) coexisting pollutant system. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the optimal ratio of CFO/ZIS composites (CFO/ZIS-2) achieved a reduction rate of about 99% for Cr(VI) within 20 min, and a degradation rate of about 73% for CIP within 60 min. In addition, even under real sunlight or lake water conditions, CFO/ZIS-2 has the ability to simultaneously remove Cr(VI) and CIP. Most importantly, after the completion of the photoreaction, the magnetism of CFO/ZIS-2 itself can be easily separated with a magnet, indicating that CFO/ZIS-2 has certain practical application capabilities. In addition, cyclic experiments have shown that CFO/ZIS-2 has a certain degree of repeatability and demonstrated that the formation of heterojunctions inhibits photo-corrosion of the catalyst. The formation of heterojunctions in CFO/ZIS-2 was demonstrated through free radical capture experiments and molecular probe experiments, which reduced the recombination of photo-generated electron-holes and enhanced light absorption. This work will provide a new avenue for designing novel magnetic separation and photo-corrosion-resistant photocatalysts to cope with complex wastewater environments.

2D/1D BiOBr/TiO2 flexible nanofibrous film heterojunction photocatalyst for tetracycline degradation

Semiconductor photocatalysis is an ideal and sustainable solution to effectively remove Tetracycline (TC). Herein, a hierarchical flexible nanofibrous film (NF) heterojunction photocatalyst of BiOBr/TiO2 was fabricated via a combination of electrospinning and solvothermal method, obtaining the two-dimensional (2D) BiOBr nanosheets uniformly anchored on the surface of one-dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanofiber, and the amount of BiOBr significantly influences the physicochemical properties of the heterojunction photocatalyst, the optimal sample of BT-2 manifests large pore size and high surface area, prominent visible light response ability and narrow band gap as well as outstanding charge separation efficiency, thus achieves significantly enhanced photocatalysis activity for TC degradation, which is about twice higher than that of the pristine TiO2 NF. More importantly, the BT-2 sample also displays high reusability and stability over a 10-cycle period and can be easy to recover. Meanwhile, the radical scavenging experiments and electron spin resonance characterization reveal that ·O2– and h+ occupy an irreplaceable role in degrading TC. Moreover, regarding the analysis of intermediates and density functional theory calculations, the TC photodegradation mechanism and pathways are proposed. Our finding offers a prospective solution for designing BiOBr/TiO2 heterojunction recyclable photocatalysts for efficient TC photodegradation.

Flexible UiO-67(Zr)@cyclodextrin-based nanofiber membrane for efficient removal of ibuprofen

The efficient removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in groundwater has become an urgent issue in sewage treatment. β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), a polysaccharide and rich in raw materials, has broad applications in adsorption and separation due to its host–guest interaction with many molecules. In this paper, a flexible and water-insoluble UiO-67(Zr)-modified cyclodextrin-based nanofiber membrane (UiO-67@β-CD-NP) was synthesized via a combination of electrospinning and solvothermal methods. By virtue of the synergetic adsorption effect of cyclodextrin and MOFs, the UiO-67@β-CD-NP shows excellent performance for ibuprofen (IBP) removal. The adsorption of IBP onto UiO-67@β-CD-NP was well-fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isothermal model, yielding an adsorption capacity of 226.24 mg/g. Furthermore, the UiO-67@β-CD-NP nanofibers demonstrate a high removal rate of 100 % and exhibit good regenerability in dynamic adsorption experiments. After the filtration of UiO-67@β-CD-NP, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of IBP has evidently reduced below the discharge standard of pharmaceutical sewage. This study provides a simple and novel strategy for preparing low-cost and high-performance composite nanofiber membrane incorporating cyclodextrin and MOFs. This membrane holds great potential as a candidate for adsorption applications in practical pharmaceutical sewage treatment.

Preparation and characterization of deacetylated cellulose acetate/thermoplastic polyurethane nanofiber membranes modified with graphene oxide for methylene blue and Cr (VI) adsorption

AbstractDeacetylated cellulose acetate/thermoplastic polyurethane@graphene oxide (DA/TPU@GO) nanofibrous membranes were prepared through the combination of electrospinning, deacetylation, and ultrasound‐assisted surface treatment techniques. The morphology, wettability, and mechanical properties of composite nanofiber membranes were studied via SEM, TEM, water contact angle measurements, and mechanical tests. Moreover, the adsorption capacity and mechanism of DA/TPU@GO nanofiber membranes for methylene blue and chromium (Cr (VI)) were analyzed. The introduction of active sites from GO led to a significant increase in the adsorption capacity of the DA/TPU@GO composite membranes compared with the DA/TPU composite nanofiber. The composite membrane featured adsorption capacities of 152.7 mg/g (25°C, pH 3) and 122.1 mg/g (25°C, pH 7) for Cr (VI) and methylene blue, respectively, which are higher than most other composite GO‐based adsorbents. The adsorption mechanism of the DA/TPU@GO composite membrane was consistent with the Langmuir isotherm and second‐order kinetic models. Therefore, the DA/TPU@GO composite nanofiber membrane served as an effective adsorbent with broad application prospects in the sewage treatment field owing to its excellent adsorption capacity.Highlights Nanofibers were prepared for the absorption of methylene blue (MB) and Cr (VI). Nanofibers exhibited adsorption capacities of 152.7 and 122.1 mg/g for Cr (VI) and MB. Adsorption mechanism follows Langmuir isotherm and second‐order kinetic models. Nanofibers have wide potential applications in sewage treatment.

Solvent electrospinning amorphous solid dispersions with high itraconazole, celecoxib, mebendazole and fenofibrate drug loading and release potential

In this work, the feasibility of ultra-high drug loaded amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) for the poorly soluble itraconazole, mebendazole and celecoxib via solvent electrospinning in combination with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and fenofibrate in combination with polyvinylpyrrolidone is demonstrated. By lowering the polymer concentration in the electrospinning solution below its individual spinnable limit, ASDs with a drug content of up to 80 wt% are obtained. This is attributed to drug-polymer interactions not being limited by default to hydrogen bonds, as also Van der Waals interactions can result in high drug loadings. The theoretically predicted miscibility by the Flory-Huggins theory is corroborated by the experimental findings based on (modulated) differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction. Globally, the maximally obtained amorphous drug loadings are higher compared to the loadings found in literature. Additionally, non-sink dissolution tests demonstrate an increase in solubility of up to 50 times compared to their crystalline counterparts. Moreover, due to the lack of precipitation biocompatible PEtOx succeeds in stabilizing the dissolved drug and inhibiting its instant precipitation. The current work thus demonstrates the broader applicability of the electrospinning technique for the production of physically stable ASDs with ultra-high drug loadings, a result which has been validated for several Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II drugs.

Preparation and characterization of wheat gluten nanofiber films based on electrospinning and Maillard crosslinking

In the present study, composite nanofiber films were fabricated using a combination of electrospinning and Maillard crosslinking. The nanofiber films were comprised of polyvinyl alcohol/wheat gluten/glucose (PVA/WG/G) in various ratios. The determination of the optimal mass ratio of the nanofiber film components (PVA/WG = 1/4) and the proportion of glucose (20 g/hg, PWG144) was based on the physicochemical properties of the spinning solution and the analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the nanofiber films before and after crosslinking. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) not only showed the presence of hydrogen bond interaction between WG and PVA, but also confirmed the occurrence of Maillard crosslinking. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystal structure of the PWG144+ nanofiber films changed after Maillard crosslinking. Maillard crosslinking increased the thermal decomposition temperature and hydrophobicity of the PWG144+ nanofiber film, as well as improved its water stability and mechanical properties. This study suggests that the PWG144+ nanofiber film had the potential to be used as active food packaging after Maillard crosslinking reaction.

Flexible TiO2/SiO2 nanofibrous membrane with high near-infrared reflectance for thermal insulation

In this study, we successfully fabricated TiO2/SiO2 ceramic nanofibrous membranes with different molar ratios using a combination of electrospinning and sol-gel technology. The resulting nanofibers were composed of amorphous SiO2 and fine-grained anatase; the amorphous SiO2 served as a lubricating zone and refined the rutile grains in the nanofiber structure. The hybrid nanofibrous membranes exhibited exceptional mechanical properties: the highest average tensile strength was 3.22 ± 0.98 MPa, which is threefold higher than that of the TiO2 nanofibrous membranes. Consequently, the TiO2/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes withstood stretching, bending, folding, and compressing processes without breaking. Furthermore, the average reflectance of the TiO2/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes exceeded 89.57% in the range of 500–2500 nm, and their thermal conductivity at room temperature was below 0.0310 W·m − 1K−1. The flexible and robust ceramic materials have significant potential for various applications such as thermal insulation, flexible energy, and wearable electronics.

Morphological and Wettability Evaluation of Electrospun Polivinyl Alcohol (PVA) Nanofiber Membrane for Wound Dressing Application

Many researches have focused on producing electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) aiming to speed up physiological events of wound healing. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate functional ENMs using electrospinning technique, taken into account various factors that may affect the fibers diameter such as polymer solution properties, electrospinning parameters and ambient conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the combined electrospinning process parameters and characterize the morphology and wettability of the electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber membranes produced. Process parameters that were optimized include applied voltage, flow rate, and distance to collector. The fabrication of PVA nanofiber membranes was done at 21 kV, 2 mL/h and 10 cm after optimization. Surface morphology and fiber diameter were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The water contact angle was used to analyze wettability. Electrospun PVA nanofiber membranes showed continuous random fiber, no bead defect, hydrophilic surface and average fiber diameters between 265 ± 86 nm and 281 ± 90 nm. Smaller fiber diameter between 200-700 nm can enhance cell migration. It is suggested from this study that the optimized parameters have successfully produced electrospun PVA nanofiber membranes with suitable fiber diameter for cell migration and can direct cell response, thus can be applied as a wound dressing material.

Ti3C2Tx MXene as a growth template for amorphous RuOx in carbon nanofiber-based flexible electrodes for enhanced pseudocapacitive energy storage

A noble surface engineering method was developed to create a binder-free flexible electrode comprising Ti3C2Tx MXene/carbon nanofibers (MCNFs) covered by amorphous RuOx with a combined electrospinning and hydrothermal process. Utilizing the hydrophilicity of the MXene on/in the MCNFs, RuOx was easily coated on the surfaces of the MCNFs through oxygen-mediated chemical bonding between the functional groups of the MXene and Ru ions. A structural analysis revealed that the MXene acted as a growth template for RuOx and that the formed RuOx had an amorphous and disordered state in the composite electrode, which impacted the electrochemical performance. The electrochemical tests showed that these composite electrodes improved the electrochemical performance, with a two-fold increase in the gravimetric capacitance (279.4 F/g at 2 mV/s) relative to that of pristine MCNFs, a wide potential window (from 0.7 to 1 V) providing a superior energy density of 8.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 85.8 W/kg, as well as long-term cycling stability (99% after 10,000 cycles). The synergetic effect of the RuOx and MXene in the composite electrodes was attributed to an enhanced pseudocapacitive reaction. Our novel electrodes and fabrication method confirm the great potential of CNF-based composites for the development of high-performance binder-free electrodes for supercapacitors.