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This review covers the basics of, inorganic-polymer composite electrolyte materials that combine inorganic components with polymer matrices to enhance the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the electrolyte. These composite electrolytes are commonly employed in solid-state batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and other electrochemical devices. The incorporation of inorganic components, such as ceramic nanoparticles or metal oxides, into a polymer matrix provides several advantages. The inorganic components can improve the overall ionic conductivity by providing pathways for ion transport, reducing the tortuosity of the polymer matrix, and facilitating ion hopping between polymer chains. Additionally, inorganic materials often exhibit higher thermal and chemical stability compared to pure polymers, which can enhance the safety and durability of composite electrolytes. Polymer matrices used in inorganic-polymer composite electrolytes can vary, but common choices include polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide (PEO/PPO) blends. These polymers offer good mechanical flexibility and processability, allowing for the fabrication of thin films or membranes. The fabrication methods for inorganic-polymer composite electrolytes depend on the specific application and desired properties. Common approaches include solution casting, in situ polymerization, melt blending, and electrospinning. During the fabrication process, the inorganic components are typically dispersed or mixed with the polymer matrix, and the resulting composite is processed into the desired form, such as films, membranes, or coatings. The performance of inorganic-polymer composite electrolytes is evaluated based on their ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, electrochemical stability, and compatibility with the electrode materials. Researchers continue to explore various combinations of inorganic and polymer components, as well as optimization strategies, to further improve the overall performance of these composite electrolytes for advanced energy storage and conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing incidences of chronic wounds recommend the development of optimal therapeutic wound dressings. Electrospun nanofibers have been considered to show potential wound healing properties when accompanied by other wound dressing materials. This study aimed to explore the potential role of Chitosan (CS) nanofibrous mats coated with resveratrol (RS) as an antioxidant and pro‐angiogenic agent in rat models of skin wound healing. Methods: Electrospun chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technology and coated by 0.05 and 0.1 mg.ml resveratrol named as (CS/RS 0.05) and (CS/RS 0.1), respectively. The scaffolds were characterized physiochemically such as in vitro release study, TGA, FTIR spectroscopy analysis, biodegradability, and human dermal fibroblast seeding assay. The scaffold was subsequently used in vivo as a skin substitute on a rat skin wound model. Results: In vitro tests revealed that all scaffolds promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. However, more cell viability was observed in CS/RS 0.1 scaffold. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was validated by MTT assay, and the results did not show any toxic effects on human dermal fibroblasts. It was observed that RS‐coated scaffolds had the ability to release RS in a controlled manner. In in vivo tests CS/RS 0.1 scaffold had the greatest impact on the healing process by improving the neodermis formation and modulated inflammation in wound granulation tissue. Histological analysis revealed enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor expression, epithelialization and increased depth of wound granulation tissue. Conclusions: The RS‐coated CS/PEO nanofibrous scaffold accelerates wound healing and may be useful as a dressing for cell transfer and clinical skin regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid state nanochannels provide significant practical advantages in many fields due to their interesting properties, such as controllable shape and size, robustness, ion selectivity. But their complex preparation processes severely limit their application. In this study, a simple cost‐effective method to fabricate single nanochannel by embedding a single polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofiber is presented. Firstly, PEO nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning, and then a single PEO nanofiber are precisely transferred to the target sample using a micromanipulation platform. Then, PDMS is used for embedding, and finally, the PEO nanofiber is dissolved to obtain a single nanochannel. Unlike other methods of preparing nanochannels by embedding nanofibers, this method can prepare single nanochannel. The diameter of nanochannel can be as fine as 100 nm, and the length can reach several micrometers. The power generation between two potassium chloride solutions with various combinations of concentrations was investigated using the nanochannel. This low‐cost flexible nanochannel can also be used in various applications, including DNA sequencing and biomimetic ion channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Folic acid (FA), a synthetically produced compound analogous to vitamin B9, also referred to as vitamin folate, is an essential compound in human health and faces challenges in stability during food processing. This study explores the incorporation of FA into carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) nanofibers using electrospinning to enhance its stability. RESULTS: In this study, optimization of both electrospinning and solution parameters facilitated the fabrication of nanofibers. Furthermore, incorporating FA into CMC/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers resulted in thinner fibers, with an average diameter of 88 nm, characterized by a flat shape and smooth surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis demonstrated substantial hydrogen bonding interactions between FA and the polar groups present in CMC. This interaction contributed to an encapsulation efficiency of 94.5%, with a yield exceeding 87%. Thermal analysis highlighted mutual interference between CMC and PEO, with FA enhancing the thermal stability and reducing the melting temperatures and enthalpies of PEO, while also increasing the reaction heats of CMC. The encapsulated FA remained stable in acidic conditions, with only 6% degradation over 30 days, demonstrating the efficacy of CMC/PEO nanofibers in safeguarding FA against acidic environments. Moreover, the nanofibers provided a protective barrier against UV radiation, thereby preserving the stability of FA. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the efficacy of CMC/PEO nanofibers as a protective matrix against FA degradation. The findings indicate that this innovative approach could significantly diversify the applications of FA in food fortification, addressing concerns regarding its vulnerability to temperature and hydrolysis reactions during food processing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophilic nanofibers offer promising potential for the delivery of drugs with diverse characteristics. Yet, the effects of different drugs incorporated into these nanofibers on their properties remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically explored how model drugs, namely ibuprofen, carvedilol, paracetamol, and metformin (hydrochloride), affect hydrophilic nanofibers composed of polyethylene oxide and poloxamer 188 in a 1:1 weight ratio. Our findings reveal that the drug affects the conductivity and viscosity of the polymer solution for electrospinning, leading to distinct changes in the morphology of electrospun products. Specifically, drugs with low solubility in ethanol, the chosen solvent for polymer solution preparation, led to the formation of continuous nanofibers with uniform diameters. Additionally, the lower solubility of metformin in ethanol resulted in particle appearance on the nanofiber surface. Furthermore, the incorporation of more hydrophilic drugs increased the surface hydrophilicity of nanofiber mats. However, variations in the physicochemical properties of the drugs did not affect the drug loading and drug entrapment efficiency. Our research also shows that drug properties do not notably affect the immediate release of drugs from nanofibers, highlighting the dominant role of the hydrophilic polymers used. This study emphasizes the importance of considering specific drug properties, such as solubility, hydrophilicity, and compatibility with the solvent used for electrospinning, when designing hydrophilic nanofibers for drug delivery. Such considerations are crucial for optimizing the properties of the drug delivery system, which is essential for achieving therapeutic efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the unique morphology and mechanical properties of multi-jet electrospun cashew gum (CG) when combined with high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) and glycerol. Cashew gum (CG) is a low-cost, non-toxic heteropolysaccharide derived from Anacardium occidentale trees. Initially, the electrospinnability of aqueous solutions of cashew gum alone or in combination with PEO was evaluated. It was found that cashew gum alone was not suitable for electrospinning; thus, adding a small quantity of PEO was needed to create the necessary molecular entanglements for fiber formation. By using a single emitter with a CG:PEO ratio of 85:15, straight and smooth fibers with some defects were obtained. However, additional purification of the cashew gum solution was needed to produce more stable and defect-free straight and smooth fibers. Additionally, the inclusion of glycerol as a plasticizer was required to overcome material fragility. Interestingly, when the optimized formulation was electrospun using multiple simultaneous emitters, thicker aligned fiber bundles were achieved. Furthermore, the resulting oriented fiber mats exhibited unexpectedly high elongation at break under ambient conditions. These findings underscore the potential of this bio-polysaccharide-based formulation for non-direct water contact applications that demand elastic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of electrospun tissue engineering scaffolds using silk fibroin and polycaprolactone (PCL) has been reported. The challenge in this system is the design of a suitable solvent with high stability. In this study, a mat was electrospun with PCL‐fibroin fibers using an emulsion consisting of PCL and a blend of fibroin and polyethylene oxide (PEO). The effects of different concentrations of fibroin and PEO and ratios of formic acid: distilled water (FA:DW, solvent for fibroin and PEO) and chloroform: formic acid (Chl:FA, solvent for PCL) were studied. The FA:DW and Chl:FA ratios of 70:30 were proved to make an optimized and stable solvent system. In addition, by controlling the water absorption of the mat, we optimized its weight loss and maintained its integrity for up to 14 days. Also, the mechanical and cell attachment properties were as expected. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay exhibited the potential of the mats to induce angiogenesis. Furthermore, subcutaneous implantation in a mouse model elicited no significant inflammatory response. This study provides a simple and promising electrospinning fabrication with an optimized solvent system for tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work compares the delamination behavior of epoxy CFRPs nano‐modified with nitrile butadiene rubber/polyethylene oxide (NBR/PEO) blend nanofibrous membranes with a rubber content of 70 wt%. While the electrospun mat is able to retain the nanofibrous structure even without crosslinking, photocrosslinking is also carried to evaluate the potential different efficacy on the delamination hindering. Double cantilever beam (DCB) and end‐notched flexure (ENF) tests show significant improvements of the energy release rates (G) both in Mode I (up to ≈4 times) and Mode II (up to ≈1.5 times). In particular, the presence of "liquid" rubber (uncrosslinked mat) leads to the best reinforcing action in Mode I, while the crosslinked membrane gives the highest delamination hindering in Mode II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delamination is a common failure mechanism affecting composite laminates. Thermoplastic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibers are recently proposed for toughening carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), obtaining promising results. In the present work, PEO‐modified epoxy CFRPs underwent ageing in water for 1 month, and the interlaminar properties are assessed via double cantilever beam (DCB) and end‐notched flexure (ENF) tests. The Mode I delamination behavior of both PEO‐modified and unmodified commercial composite plates is compared. Water ageing slightly affects the mechanical properties of the nano‐modified laminates, though the interleaved nano‐reinforcement is water‐soluble. The achieved results are very encouraging and pave the way to the use of PEO nanofibrous mats for hindering delamination in composite laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wounds are one of the most crucial health issues, especially when they are infected with pathogenic microbes. Nowadays, nanofibers have been designed with antibacterial properties to serve as an effective solution for wound healing. Materials and Methods: In this research, a polyethylene oxide/copper/peptide nanocomposite was designed using electrospinning at a ratio of 98/1/1 mg. Then, the characteristics of the nanocomposite were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile testing and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the antibacterial properties of the prepared nanofibers were evaluated against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antioxidant effects of the said composite were evaluated. Results: The SEM results showed that copper and peptide nanoparticles were well spread on the surface of the polymer and the tensile test results revealed that this sample has relatively high tensile strength. Also, the designed nanocomposite was resistant to heat according to the DSC and had antibacterial effects against standard microbial strains and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the designed nanofibers can be used as a compound with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in the healthcare and hygiene industries to produce wound dressings.

In this study, Teucrium polium (TP) methanolic extract, which has antidiabetic activity and protects the β-cells of the pancreas, was loaded in polyethylene oxide/sodium alginate nanofibers by electrospinning and administered sublingually to evaluate their effectiveness in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by cell culture and in vivo studies. The gene expressions of insulin, glucokinase, GLUT-1, and GLUT-2 improved in TP-loaded nanofibers (TPF) on human beta cells 1.1B4 and rat beta cells BRIN-BD11. Fast-dissolving (<120 s) sublingual TPF exhibited better sustainable anti-diabetic activity than the suspension form, even in the twenty times lower dosage in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, GLUT-2, SGLT-2, PPAR-γ, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were improved. TP and TPF treatments ameliorated morphological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney. The fiber diameter increased, tensile strength decreased, and the working temperature range enlarged by loading TP in fibers. Thus, TPF has proven to be a novel supportive treatment approach for T2DM with the features of being non-toxic, easy to use, and effective. [Display omitted] • Teucrium polium (TP) extract was loaded in nanofibers (TPF) by electrospinning. • Sublingually administered TPF showed ultra-fast drug release on diabetic rats. • TPF showed antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM. • TPF improved the expressions of GLP-1, GLUT-2, PPAR-γ, Insulin, and TNF-α on rats. • The regeneration effect of TPF on liver, pancreas, and kidney was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of slippery surfaces has been widely investigated due to their excellent icephobic properties. A distinct kind of an ice-repellent structure known as a slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) has recently drawn attention due to its simplicity and efficacy as a passive ice-protection method. These surfaces are well known for exhibiting very low ice adhesion values (τice < 20 kPa). In this study, pure Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers were fabricated using the electrospinning process to produce superhydrophobic (SHS) porous coatings on samples of the aeronautical alloy AA6061-T6. Due to the high fluorine–carbon bond strength, PTFE shows high resistance and chemical inertness to almost all corrosive reagents as well as extreme hydrophobicity and high thermal stability. However, these unique properties make PTFE difficult to process. For this reason, to develop PTFE fibers, the electrospinning technique has been used by an PTFE nanoparticles (nP PTFE) dispersion with addition of a very small amount of polyethylene oxide (PEO) followed with a sintering process (380 °C for 10 min) to melt the nP PTFE together and form uniform fibers. Once the porous matrix of PTFE fibers is attached, lubricating oil is added into the micro/nanoscale structure in the SHS in place of air to create a SLIPS. The experimental results show a high-water contact angle (WCA) ≈ 150° and low roll-off angle (αroll-off) ≈ 22° for SHS porous coating and a decrease in the WCA ≈ 100° and a very low αroll-off ≈ 15° for SLIPS coating. On one hand, ice adhesion centrifuge tests were conducted for two types of icing conditions (glaze and rime) accreted in an ice wind tunnel (IWT), as well as static ice at different ice adhesion centrifuge test facilities in order to compare the results for SHS, SLIPs and reference materials. This is considered a preliminary step in standardization efforts where similar performance are obtained. On the other hand, the ice adhesion results show 65 kPa in the case of SHS and 4.2 kPa of SLIPS for static ice and <10 kPa for rime and glace ice. These results imply a significant improvement in this type of coatings due to the combined effect of fibers PTFE and silicon oil lubricant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive daytime radiative cooling that could provide sub-ambient cooling emerges as a promising technology to reduce household energy consumption. Nonetheless, prevailing studies are predominantly focused on surface cooling, often overlooking its adaptability to enclosed spaces with active cooling technologies. Here we present a multilayer radiative cooling film (J-MRC) with Janus optical properties in the mid-infrared region, consisting of the nanoporous polyethylene films, the polyethylene oxide film, and silver nanowires. The top side of the J-MRC functions as a conventional radiative cooling material to supply sub-ambient surface cooling, while the bottom side with low mid-infrared emissivity transfers limited heat via thermal radiation to the low-temperature enclosures. Our experiments validate that the J-MRC possesses an enhanced space cooling performance in comparison to the conventional radiative cooling film. This work provides a valuable design concept for radiative cooling materials, thereby expanding their practical scenarios and contributing to reduce the carbon emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension electrospinning of a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex coupled with photo-induced crosslinking in ambient conditions is proposed as a rapid method to prepare ultrafine shape-stable rubber fibrous membranes. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) is used as template polymer and can eventually be removed from the nanostructured membrane by a simple water treatment. A multifunctional thiol crosslinker and an appropriate photo-initiating system are added to the latex to allow the fast and efficient photo-induced crosslinking of the nanofibers, based on thiol addition to the SBR double bonds, as demonstrated by real-time Infrared spectroscopy analyses. It is proved that by varying the PEO template polymer and the thiol crosslinker content, a fine control of the chemical composition, morphology, water solubility, and thermal properties of the nanofibrous membranes is ensured. Moreover, comparable mechanical properties to those of fibrous membranes produced by conventional electrospinning of organic solvent-based solutions are obtained, clearly showing the attractiveness of the present method, especially in terms of process sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocompatible polymers bearing hydrolyzable groups such as polyesters are a source of raw materials to prepare common and specific materials, due to their degradability properties under mild conditions; for instance, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a polymer broadly used in electrospinning to produce fibrous and degradable materials. In this work, we explored the synthesis, characterization, and conditions to prepare fibrous materials made of PCL homopolymers showing different degrees of polymerization and PCL-PEO block copolymers possessing different molecular-weight, which have been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The obtained polymers were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and GPC. The synthesized polymers were used to prepare fibrous materials by the electrospinning method, which were characterized by SEM, wettability, tensile test, and DSC. We found that low molecular-weight polymers cannot produce tangible materials; however, the addition of block copolymers containing the hydrophilic PEO unit produced porous materials where the fiber diameter decreased, also turning hydrophilic as the PEO chain length increased in the block copolymer. Thus, these materials can be projected towards specific applications, such as their use in tissue engineering. The role of PCL-PEO block copolymers as additives in the fabrication of PCL-based materials concerning structuration and control of fiber size, hydrophilia, and mechanical properties is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing global energy consumption and carbon emissions propelled the demand for materials possessing excellent thermal insulation and fire resistance. In this study, we prepared mullite nanofiber membranes (MNFMs) by electrospinning using polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol as dual templates. This method endows MNFMs with good flexibility and overcomes the inherent brittleness of ceramic fibers. And ensure that it can maintain structural integrity even when bent or folded without fragmentation or crushing. Simultaneously, the prepared MNFMs exhibit a lightweight and fluffy porous structure (0.02195 g cm−3), showing a remarkably low thermal conductivity of 0.035 W m−1 K−1. Moreover, it demonstrates excellent high-temperature resistance, withstanding temperatures as high as 1300 °C, and exceptional thermal insulation. The unique combination of these characteristics qualifies the MNFMs for a wide range of applications, such as high-temperature insulation, fire resistance, high-temperature filtration, flexible electronics, and high-temperature protective clothing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of different concentrations of salt-added polyethylene oxide (PEO) on the spinnability of chitosan (CS)/PEO + NaCl blends that could be used as a component part of filters for water treatment or nanofiber membranes as well as for medical applications was investigated in this study. The morphological properties of manufactured nanofibers were analyzed as well. It was determined that an increase of PEO concentration resulted mostly in thin and round nanofibers formed during electrospinning, but the manufacturing process became complex, because many wet fibers reached the collector while spinning. Also, it was noticed that the salt was not dissolved completely in the polymer solutions and some crystals were seen in the SEM images of manufactured fiber mats. However, the addition of salt resulted in lower viscosity and better conductivity of solution and fiber mats as well. The opposite effect was observed as the concentration of PEO was increased. The orientation of produced nanofibers as well as their diameter were analyzed with commercially available software. It was determined that the results obtained by software and microscopically are repeatable. The difference among the results of diameter calculated with software and taken by microscope varied from 0% to approximately 12%. The FTIR analyses indicated that alterations in polymer concentrations or the addition of salt did not induce any discernible changes in the chemical composition or nature of the materials under investigation. The sodium chloride present in the solutions enhanced electrical properties and increased conductivity values more than 50 times for PEO solutions and six times for CS/PEO blend solutions, compared to conductivity values of solutions without salt. To assess the thermal characteristics of the PEO/CS blend nanofibers, measurements using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to determine melting (Tm) and crystallization (Tc) temperatures, as well as specific heat capacities were conducted. These parameters were derived from the analysis of endothermic and exothermic peaks observed in the DSC data. It showed that all produced nanofibers were semicrystalline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based solid electrolytes, which exhibit ideal extensibility and wide electrochemical window, are considered as one of the most promising candidates for all solid-state sodium batteries (ASSSBs). However, the low mechanical strength and low ionic conductivity hinder their application. Herein, electrospun MgAl2O4 nanofibers are complexed with PEO/NaClO4 to enhance the mechanical and thermal stability. Determined by 23Na solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with first-principle calculations, the adsorption energy of ClO4− on the MgAl2O4 surface is far higher than that on PEO, which facilitates the dissociation of Na+ and ClO4−, thereby enabling a fast transport of Na+ by the introduction of MgAl2O4 in the polymer electrolyte. The ionic conductivity is enhanced to 1.89 × 10−4 S cm−1 from 8.46 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 55 °C, and the Na+ transfer number is improved to 0.55 from 0.26 in the composite electrolyte. The Na//(PEO/MgAl2O4/NaClO4)//Na symmetric cell can cycle for over 400 h at a current density of 0.05 mA cm−2 and a cut-off capacity of 0.05 mAh cm−2 while the ASSSBs incorporating the polymer composite electrolyte also exhibit notable rate and cycle performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hererin, the biopreservation (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) was embedded into double‐layer nanofiber film (BDNF) composed of poly‐L‐lactic acid and polyethylene oxide via electrospinning process. Results showed that the embedded L. plantarum cells could manage to survive and maintain a high viability for about 15 days at 4 °C in the absence of external nutrients. The immobilisation of L. plantarum cells had no negative effect on their antibacterial activity. The application of BDNF on Mongolian cheese (MC) was constructed as a mutualistic symbiosis‐like system (MSS). Within BDNF‐MC‐MSS, nutritious matrix endowed L. plantarum a continuous antibacterial effect against undesirable microorganisms. Furthermore, the Mongolian cheese in MSS exhibited better quality because the packaging could strongly preserve them by inhibiting the growth of moulds and yeasts, reducing water loss, slowing fat precipitation, and improving texture characteristics during the storage period. The results suggested the feasibility of BDNF‐MC‐MSS as a novel way for Mongolian cheese preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the Vancomycin (VCM) combination with Chitosan (CS)/ Polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers' intrinsic antibacterial properties causing a synergistic effect against possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI). VCM/CS nanofiber scaffold was fabricated using the electrospinning method. Characterizations are performed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) to examine the functional groups of each compound, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transient electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate nanofiber diameter and structure. Antibacterial activities of the nanofibrous scaffold were assessed against bacterial strains, including standard Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), VCM-sensitive Enterococcus (VSE), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), VCM-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Streptococcus group A by microdilution broth methods. The FT-IR, SEM, and TEM examination results confirm the CS/PEO nanofiber scaffold fabrication. The antibacterial examination results showed no significant difference between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of VCM and with MIC of VCM/CS nanofibers. Still, there were significant differences between the MIC of CS and VCM/CS nanofibers in S. aureus, but this is not more significant than VCM. This study illustrated that VCM coupled to CS nanofibers had acceptable antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium. This work motivated researchers' insight into nanostructures' potential accompanied by antibacterial polymer and antibiotics synergistic effects against PSBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to compare the effects of various solvents on producing kafirin/polyethylene oxide (PEO) bio-nanocomposites by the technique of electrospinning. Different concentrations of kafirin (15, 20, 25, 30 and 40% w/v) and PEO (2, 4 and 6% w/v) were electrospun. For the dissolution and electrospinning of these two biopolymers, different solvents were used comparatively, i.e. distilled water, ethanol (70%), acetic acid (40%), 2-Butanol and glacial acetic acid. An evaluation of flow behavior showed that kafirin and PEO had Newtonian and pseudoplastic behaviors, respectively. A mixture of these two polymers demonstrated quasi-Newtonian and shear-independent behaviors in a low shear rate range, which positively affected the electrospinning process. SEM images showed that the best concentrations of kafirin and PEO were 25 and 2%, respectively, for producing nanofibers with uniform structures. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of kafirin and PEO in the bio-nanocomposite after electrospinning. The FTIR proved that these two polymers had no chemical interactions with each other. Overall, the results showed that selecting an appropriate solvent and a suitable auxiliary polymer could have significant roles in producing biodegradable kafirin nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Today, designing nanofibers with antibacterial properties using electrospinning technology is one of the attractive approaches for wound healing. Methods: & analysis: This study aims to fabricate a nanocomposite from polyethylene oxide (PEO) coated with copper nanoparticles (NPs) and defensin peptide with wound healing and antimicrobial properties in different ratios of CuNPs/defensin (2/0 mg), (1.5/0.5 mg), and (1/1 mg) in the fixed contain polymer (98 mg). Then, the nanofiber properties were investigated by SEM, tensile, DSC, and BET analysis. Also, the antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli, antioxidant, and in-vivo wound healing effects and histological analysis of the designed nanocomposites were evaluated in rat models. Results: Our SEM images showed that CuNPs and defensin were properly coated on the PEO surface. According to the tensile, DSC, and antibacterial analysis results, the most appropriate feature was related to CuNPs/defensin (1.5/0.5 mg), with maximum elasticity, heat resistance, and antibacterial activity. Furthermore, the designed nanocomposites showed the best performance as a wound closure agent by increasing dermis and epidermis volume density, stimulating fibroblast cells and collagen fiber production, and improving skin vessels. Conclusion: According to our results, PEO nanofibers loaded with CuNPs and defensin have the best potential for wound healing, and they can be used as antibacterial materials in the textile, drug, and medical industries.

Tissue engineering provides novel methods for a wide variety of skin injuries, among which, the electrospun nanofibers have attracted special attention for wound dressing fabrications. In this research, we have fabricated scaffolds based on Poly l-lactic acid (PLLA) and Polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymers and have loaded the hybrid PLLA/PEO with active substances, Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The five categories of nanofiber scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning: (1) PLLA, (2) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold, (3) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline (PLLA/PEO/A), (4) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/D), (5) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline and Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/A/D). Our SEM analysis of the electrospun nanofibers shows that all nanofibers are bead-free and are in the range of 200–600 nm. The static water contact angle measurements via the sessile drop method have shown a transition from a hydrophobic surface for the PLLA scaffold (CA = 118.43 ± 1.6°) to a hydrophilic surface for PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold (CA = 35.5 ± 2.8°). The addition of Argireline, Dexpanthenol, and a mixture of both has been shown to improve this wettability even further. The electrospun nanofiber scaffolds were further analyzed for their air permeability, and mechanical properties. The cytocompatibility analysis indicated superior performance for PLLA/PEO loaded with both Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The in-vivo analysis was conducted on the second-degree burn rat models in six different studied groups: 1-healthy rat, 2-negative control, and rats treated with 3-PLLA/PEO, 4-PLLA/PEO/A, 5-PLLA/PEO/D, and 6-PLLA/PEO/A/D. The wound area reduction was assessed on day 3, day 7, and day 14 in all groups along with the histology analysis based on hematoxylin/eosin. Our results show that rats treated with PLLA/PEO/A/D not only have a great reduction in the wound area, but their histology analysis demonstrates high angiogenesis and collagen formation, and epithelialization. We believe the existence of both active substances has a synergic effect on the wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, the fast charging of lithium (Li) batteries is attracting increasing attention. However, the rapid decline in battery capacity caused by fast charging and accidents caused by Li dendrites piercing the separator greatly restrict fast‐charging applications. Herein, an electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride/boehmite (PAN/PVDF/12 wt.% AlO(OH)) and gel polymer polyethylene oxide/polyvinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene/lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/boehmite (PEO/PVDF‐HFP/12.6 wt.% LiTFSI /10 wt.% AlO(OH)) pressed together to form a two‐layer functional separator is designed. The electrospun separator improves the high‐temperature resistance of the entire separator due to its special structure. After the 1 h heat treatment at 220 °C, the thermal shrinkage rate of the double‐layer separator reaches 10.1%, showing good thermal stability. At 0.2 C, the discharge capacity retention rate is 99.4% after 100 cycles. After 1000 cycles at a rate of 10 C, the discharge capacity remains at 88% of the initial value. The two‐layer separator exhibits better capacity retention and superior rate performance than PP, providing an effective approach for commercializing fast‐charging functional separators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate mimicking of the fibrillary structure of the extracellular matrix represents one of the critical aspects of tissue engineering, playing a significant role in cell behavior and functions during the regenerative process. This work proposed the design of PVA-based multi-component membranes as a valuable and highly versatile strategy to support in vitro regeneration of different tissues. PVA can be successfully processed through electrospinning processes, allowing for the integration of other organic/inorganic materials suitable to confer additive bio-functional properties to the fibers to improve their biological response. It was demonstrated that adding polyethylene oxide (PEO) improves fiber processability; moreover, SEM analyses confirmed that blending PVA with PEO or gelatin enables the reduction of fiber size from 1.527 ± 0.66 μm to 0.880 ± 0.30 μm and 0.938 ± 0.245 μm, respectively, also minimizing defect formation. Furthermore, in vitro tests confirmed that gelatin integration allows the formation of bioactive nanofibers with improved biological response in terms of L929 adhesion and proliferation. Lastly, the processability of PVA fibers with conductive phases such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has also been verified. From this perspective, they could be promisingly used to design electroactive composite fibers able to support the regeneration process of electrically stimulated tissues such as nerves or muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is a straightforward and versatile technology that has been broadly applied to the preparation of microfibers. However, the fabrication of complicated patterns with high positioning accuracy is still a challenge. The enhancement of the positioning accuracy is restricted by the bending instability of the jet and the motion stage. Here, an effective method to improve the positioning accuracy of ordered fibers by optimizing printing parameter and printing order is proposed. Highly oriented and uniformly aligned microfiber arrays composed of polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibers with a diameter of 2.8 ± 0.13 μm are deposited by adjusting the process parameters. Moreover, the accumulative return error of the printed pattern was reduced by 30.54 μm in X‐axis and 55.59 μm in Y‐axis using an optimized printing order. The lattice patterns with a high positioning accuracy of 0.98 ± 0.06 μm were obtained, which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of the structure with unoptimized printing order. Results indicate that the method can significantly improve the positioning accuracy of the lattice patterns of polymeric microfibers, which has a promising prospect in the field of high‐precision micro manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries have garnered significant interest due to their enhanced potential window, high energy density, and improved safety features. However, the issues such as low ionic conductivity at ambient temperature, substantial ionic conductivity fluctuations with temperature changes, and inadequate electrolyte interfacial compatibility hinder their widespread applications. Electrospinning is a popular approach for fabricating solid-state electrolytes owing to its superior advantages of adjustable component constitution and the unique internal fiber structure of the resultant electrolytes. Thus, this technique has been extensively adopted in related studies. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in optimizing the performance of PEO solid-state electrolytes via electrospinning technology. Initially, the impacts of different lithium salts and their concentrations on the performance of electrospun PEO-based solid-state electrolytes were compared. Subsequently, research pertaining to the effects of various additives on these electrolytes was reviewed. Furthermore, investigations concerning the enhancement of electrospun solid-state electrolytes via modifications of PEO molecular chains are herein detailed, and lastly, the prevalent challenges and future directions of PEO-based solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the implementation of advanced functional coatings based on the combination of two compatible nanofabrication techniques such as electrospinning and dip-coating technology have been successfully obtained for the design of antifungal surfaces. In a first step, uniform and beadless electrospun nanofibers of both polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyethylene (PEO)/chitosan (CS) blend samples have been obtained. In a second step, the dip-coating process has been gradually performed in order to ensure an adequate distribution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within the electrospun polymeric matrix (PEO/CS/AgNPs) by using a chemical reduction synthetic process, denoted as in situ synthesis (ISS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to evaluate the surface morphology of the samples, showing an evolution in average fiber diameter from 157 ± 43 nm (PEO), 124 ± 36 nm (PEO/CS) and 330 ± 106 nm (PEO/CS/AgNPs). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to evaluate the roughness profile of the samples, indicating that the ISS process induced a smooth roughness surface because a change in the average roughness Ra from 84.5 nm (PEO/CS) up to 38.9 nm (PEO/CS/AgNPs) was observed. The presence of AgNPs within the electrospun fiber mat has been corroborated by UV-Vis spectroscopy thanks to their characteristic optical properties (orange film coloration) associated to the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) phenomenon by showing an intense absorption band in the visible region at 436 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) profile also indicates the existence of a peak located at 3 keV associated to silver. In addition, after doping the electrospun nanofibers with AgNPs, an important change in the wettability with an intrinsic hydrophobic behavior was observed by showing an evolution in the water contact angle value from 23.4° ± 1.3 (PEO/CS) up to 97.7° ± 5.3 (PEO/CS/AgNPs). The evaluation of the antifungal activity of the nanofibrous mats against Pleurotus ostreatus clearly indicates that the presence of AgNPs in the outer surface of the nanofibers produced an important enhancement in the inhibition zone during mycelium growth as well as a better antifungal efficacy after a longer exposure time. Finally, these fabricated electrospun nanofibrous membranes can offer a wide range of potential uses in fields as diverse as biomedicine (antimicrobial against human or plant pathogen fungi) or even in the design of innovative packaging materials for food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key material capable of effective wound closure is a pertinent demand of the day. Citric acid (CA)‐based crosslinking involves pre‐crosslinking followed by post‐crosslinking at higher temperature. Unlike conventional higher temperature treatment, this piece of work discusses post‐crosslinking at low temperature or under UV irradiation of CAZein/Polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend membranes. A comparative analysis of the wound healing efficiency of both membranes was done. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results showed that UV crosslinked CA Zein/PEO has a fast thermal degradation and the folded structure of the protein perturbed during UV crosslinking. More than 60 % of porosity and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 1500–2000 g m−2 day−1 for both membranes could facilitate faster exudate absorption and gas exchange through the wound site. Thermally crosslinked CA Zein/PEO stimulated 67 % more collagen production within 2 days compared to control cells. Percentage of wound closure is also high for thermally crosslinked CA Zein/PEO compared to UV crosslinked CA Zein/PEO. Though cytotoxicity evaluation confirmed the non‐cytotoxicity of both membranes, thermally crosslinked membrane proved as a better candidate for wound care management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coaxial electrospinning process has been widely used in the biomedical field, and its process parameters affect product quality seriously. In this paper, the influence of key process parameters of coaxial electrostatic spinning (solution concentration, electrospinning voltage, acceptance distance and liquid supply velocity) on the preparation of a membrane with Chitosan, Polyethylene oxide and nano-silver as the core layer and Polycaprolactone as the shell layer was studied. The optimal combination of key process parameters was obtained by using an orthogonal test, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and macro-characterization diagram. The results showed that the coaxial electrospun membrane had good mechanical properties (tensile strength is about 2.945 Mpa), hydrophilicity (the water contact angle is about 72.28°) and non-cytotoxicity, which was conducive to cell adhesion and proliferation. The coaxial electrospun membrane with nano-silver has an obvious inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In summary, the coaxial electrospun membrane that we produced is expected to be used in clinical medicine, such as vascular stent membranes and bionic blood vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biodegradable polymers for the production of membranes to be used in wastewater treatment has attracted increasing interest considering the possibility of reducing the risk of second pollution. In this work, porous fibrous membranes based on polylactic acid and polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends were prepared. The solutions were electrospun using two approaches: (i) conventional coaxial electrospinning followed by leaching treatment (double-step, DS); (ii) coaxial wet electrospinning with in situ leaching (single-step, SS). By varying PEO type and processing method it was possible to control membranes structure and porosity. DS leaching treatment lead to surface porosity (i.e. shell leaching), while SS allowed obtaining hollow and porous fibers (i.e. with shell and core leaching). Process, properties and structure relationships of devices were analysed trough rheological, morphological, mechanical and surface characterizations. Furthermore, the influence of the different porous structures on oil sorption capacity and reusability of the membranes was evaluated. Results reveal that different porosities lead to a variation in membranes mechanical performance, in their wettability and, consequently, in their oil spill cleanup capacity. Membranes obtained with SS displayed higher performance in oil removal if compared to the DS ones, due to their hollow structure and higher surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the development of eco-friendly, biodegradable superhydrophilic membranes for rapid oil-water separation. It is reported that by incorporating polyethylene oxide hydrogels into polylactic acid nanofibers using electrospinning, the researchers achieved a 61.9-fold increase in emulsion permeance compared to traditional membranes. It is further reported that these innovative membranes prevent fouling and promote faster oil-in-water emulsion passage.

To overcome the safety hazard of the liquid electrolytes used in traditional lithium batteries, solid electrolytes have drawn more attention because of their advantages such as non-volatility, easy processing, good mechanical properties, and stability. In this paper, sodium alginate (SA) nanofiber membranes were used as the backbone of PEO-based solid electrolytes. SA nanofiber membranes were prepared by electrospinning with assistance from PEO and cross-linked with calcium ions to construct a nanofiber network skeleton, which provided a guarantee for the stability of the subsequent electrolyte preparation process. The effects of spinning conditions and crosslinking time on the structure and performances of the nanofiber membranes were investigated. Meanwhile, the relationship between the skeleton of nanofiber membranes cross-linked with calcium ions and ion conductivity was investigated. The optimal parameters of the electrospinning process including concentration, voltage, distance, and SA content were discussed, and the fiber diameter and its distribution were analyzed. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, thermal gravimetric analyzer analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) maps were used to characterize the nanofiber membranes and electrolytes. The results showed that the thermal performance of cross-linked nanofiber membranes improved and the crystallinity of the PEO matrix decreased. The ion conductivity of the electrolytes was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) testing, and the results showed that the assembled lithium symmetric battery had a good ion conductivity of 6.82 × 10−5 S/cm at 30 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wounds are one of the most crucial health issues, especially when they are infected with pathogenic microbes. Nowadays, nanofibers have been designed with antibacterial properties to serve as an effective solution for wound healing. Materials and Methods: In this research, a polyethylene oxide/copper/peptide nanocomposite was designed using electrospinning at a ratio of 98/1/1 mg. Then, the characteristics of the nanocomposite were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile testing and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the antibacterial properties of the prepared nanofibers were evaluated against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antioxidant effects of the said composite were evaluated. Results: The SEM results showed that copper and peptide nanoparticles were well spread on the surface of the polymer and the tensile test results revealed that this sample has relatively high tensile strength. Also, the designed nanocomposite was resistant to heat according to the DSC and had antibacterial effects against standard microbial strains and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the designed nanofibers can be used as a compound with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in the healthcare and hygiene industries to produce wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow polymer microfibers with variable microstructural and hydrophilic properties were proposed as building elements to create axon‐mimicking phantoms for validation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The axon‐mimicking microfibers were fabricated in a mm‐thick 3D anisotropic fiber strip, by direct jet coaxial electrospinning of PCL/polysiloxane‐based surfactant (PSi) mixture as shell and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as core. Hydrophilic PCL‐PSi fiber strips were first obtained by carefully selecting appropriate solvents for the core and appropriate fiber collector rotating and transverse speeds. The porous cross‐section and anisotropic orientation of axon‐mimicking fibers were then quantitatively evaluated using two ImageJ plugins—nearest distance (ND) and directionality based on their scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Third, axon‐mimicking phantom was constructed from PCL‐PSi fiber strips with variable porous‐section and fiber orientation and tested on a 3T clinical MR scanner. The relationship between DTI measurements (mean diffusivity [MD] and fractional anisotropy [FA]) of phantom samples and their pore size and fiber orientation was investigated. Two key microstructural parameters of axon‐mimicking phantoms including normalized pore distance and dispersion of fiber orientation could well interpret the variations in DTI measurements. Two PCL‐PSi phantom samples made from different regions of the same fiber strips were found to have similar MD and FA values, indicating that the direct jet coaxial electrospun fiber strips had consistent microstructure. More importantly, the MD and FA values of the developed axon‐mimicking phantoms were mostly in the biologically relevant range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers, which are formed by the electrospinning process, are used in a variety of applications. For this purpose, a specific diameter suited for each application is required, which is achieved by varying a set of parameters. This parameter adjustment process is empirical and works by trial and error, causing high input costs and wasting time and financial resources. In this work, an artificial neural network model is presented to predict the diameter of polyethylene nanofibers, based on the adjustment of 15 parameters. The model was trained from 105 records from data obtained from the literature and was then validated with nine nanofibers that were obtained and measured in the laboratory. The average error between the actual results was 2.29%. This result differs from those taken in an evaluation of the dataset. Therefore, the importance of increasing the dataset and the validation using independent data is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major challenge for membrane distillation (MD) is the membrane wetting resistance induced by pollutants in the feed solution. The proposed solution for this issue was to fabricate membranes with hydrophobic properties. Hydrophobic electrospun poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber membranes were produced for brine treatment using the direct-contact membrane distillation (DCMD) technique. These nanofiber membranes were prepared from three different polymeric solution compositions to study the effect of solvent composition on the electrospinning process. Furthermore, the effect of the polymer concentration was investigated by preparing polymeric solutions with three different polymer percentages: 6, 8, and 10%. All of the nanofiber membranes obtained from electrospinning were post-treated at varying temperatures. The effects of thickness, porosity, pore size, and liquid entry pressure (LEP) were studied. The hydrophobicity was determined using contact angle measurements, which were investigated using optical contact angle goniometry. The crystallinity and thermal properties were studied using DSC and XRD, while the functional groups were studied using FTIR. The morphological study was performed with AMF and described the roughness of nanofiber membranes. Finally, all of the nanofiber membranes had enough of a hydrophobic nature to be used in DCMD. A PVDF membrane filter disc and all nanofiber membranes were applied in DCMD to treat brine water. The resulting water flux and permeate water quality were compared, and it was discovered that all of the produced nanofiber membranes showed good behavior with varying water flux, but the salt rejection was greater than 90%. A membrane prepared from DMF/acetone 5-5 with 10% PVDF-HFP provided the perfect performance, with an average water flux of 44 kg.m−2.h−1 and salt rejection of 99.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition that affects one-third of women worldwide. BV is characterized by low levels of healthy lactobacilli and an overgrowth of common anaerobes such as Gardnerella. Antibiotics for BV are administered orally or vaginally; however, approximately half of those treated will experience recurrence within 6 months. Lactobacillus crispatus present at high levels has been associated with positive health outcomes. To address the high recurrence rates following BV treatment, beneficial bacteria have been considered as an alternative or adjunct modality. This study aimed to establish proof-of-concept for a new long-acting delivery vehicle for L. crispatus. Here, it is shown that polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibers loaded with L. crispatus can be electrospun with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers (ratio 1:1), and that this construct later releases L. crispatus as metabolically viable bacteria capable of lactic acid production and anti- Gardnerella activity. Probiotic-containing fibers were serially cultured in MRS (deMan, Rogosa, Sharpe) broth with daily media replacement and found to yield viable L. crispatus for at least 7 days. Lactic acid levels and corresponding pH values generally corresponded with levels of L. crispatus cultured from the fibers and strongly support the conclusion that fibers yield viable L. crispatus that is metabolically active. Cultures of L. crispatus -loaded fibers limited the growth of Gardnerella in a dilution-dependent manner during in vitro assays in the presence of cultured vaginal epithelial cells, demonstrating bactericidal potential. Exposure of VK2/E6E7 cells to L. crispatus -loaded fibers resulted in minimal loss of viability relative to untreated cells. Altogether, these data provide proof-of-concept for electrospun fibers as a candidate delivery vehicle for application of vaginal probiotics in a long-acting form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the physical stability of nanoparticle dispersions, several methods for their transformation into stable and easily dispersible dry products have been investigated thus far. Recently, electrospinning was shown to be a novel nanoparticle dispersion drying method, which addresses the crucial challenges of the current drying methods. It is a relatively simple method, but it is affected by various ambient, process, and dispersion parameters, which impact the properties of the electrospun product. The aim of this study was, thus, to investigate the influence of the most important dispersion parameter, namely the total polymer concentration, on the drying method efficiency and the properties of the electrospun product. The formulation was based on a mixture of hydrophilic polymers poloxamer 188 and polyethylene oxide in the weight ratio of 1:1, which is acceptable for potential parenteral application. We showed that the total polymer concentration of prior-drying samples is closely related to their viscosity and conductivity, also affecting the morphology of the electrospun product. However, the change in morphology of the electrospun product does not affect the efficiency of SPION reconstitution from the electrospun product. Regardless of the morphology, the electrospun product is not in powder form and is therefore safer to handle compared to powder nanoformulations. The optimal total polymer concentration in the prior-drying SPION dispersion, which enables the formation of an easily dispersible electrospun product with high SPION-loading (65% (w/w)) and fibrillar morphology, was shown to be 4.2% (w/v). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyethylene oxide (PEO) and curdlan solutions were used to prepare PEO/curdlan nanofiber films by electrospinning using deionized water as the solvent. In the electrospinning process, PEO was used as the base material, and its concentration was fixed at 6.0 wt.%. Moreover, the concentration of curdlan gum varied from 1.0 to 5.0 wt.%. For the electrospinning conditions, various operating voltages (12–24 kV), working distances (12–20 cm) and feeding rates of polymer solution (5–50 μL/min) were also modified. Based on the experimental results, the optimum concentration for the curdlan gum was 2.0 wt.%. Additionally, the most suitable operating voltage, working distance and feeding rate for the electrospinning process were 19 kV, 20 cm and 9 μL/min, respectively, which can help to prepare relatively thinner PEO/curdlan nanofibers with higher mesh porosity and without the formation of beaded nanofibers. Finally, the PEO/curdlan nanofiber instant films containing 5.0 wt.% quercetin inclusion complex were used to perform wetting and disintegration processes. It was found that the instant film can be dissolved significantly on the low-moisture wet wipe. On the other hand, when the instant film touched water, it can be disintegrated very quickly within 5 s, and the quercetin inclusion complex was dissolved in water efficiently. Furthermore, when the instant film encountered the water vapor at 50 °C, it almost completely disintegrated after immersion for 30 min. The results indicate that the electrospun PEO/curdlan nanofiber film is highly feasible for biomedical applications consisting of instant masks and quick-release wound dressings, even in the water vapor environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes are considered as a promising solid electrolyte in the field of solid-state lithium batteries.PEO/LiClO4 solid polymer electrolyte(SPE) was prepared through electrostatic spinning technology, in order to meet the demand of industrial production. The effects of spinning voltage, spinning solution concentration and lithium salt content on the morphology and diameter of the fiber were studied.The morphology of SPE fiber was observed by scanning electron microscope and the diameter of SPE fiber was analysed by Image J.Furthermore, the composition, structure and properties of solid polymer electrolyte fiber membranes prepared by electrospinning were studied by DSC, XRD, FTIR-ATR and tensile testing.The results show that the PEO/LiClO4 solid polymer electrolyte membrane prepared by electrostatic spinning method has good fiber morphology, when the spinning voltage is 15 kV, and the concentration of PEO/LiClO4 spinning solution is 6%, and the molar ratio ([EO]: [Li+]) is 10:1.Meanwhile, the average diameter of the fibers is 557 nm, giving relatively uniform distribution.When[EO]: [Li+]=10:1, the melting point of PEO in the SPE fiber membrane is only 53.8℃, with the crystallinity as low as 18.9%. And the ionic conductivity of the prepared SPE exhibits as high as 5.16×10-5 S·cm-1 at 30℃.Moreover, the prepared electrospun SPE has good electrochemical stability and interfacial stability.

We report the feasibility of electrospinning of protein‐polymer multilayered scaffolds with selected materials such as non‐hydrolyzed silk sericin (SS), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polylactic acid (PLA), with tuned fiber size and properties for each layer. We present a new innovative way for the electrospinning (ES) of non‐hydrolyzed SS mixed with PEO yielding fibers with an average diameter ranging between 120 and 150 nm. Different SS:PEO ratios have been electrospun to study the effect of the concentration of SS protein on the fibers size and shape, as well and their electrospinnability. Electrospun SS:PEO fibers display weak to no mechanical resistance (non‐measurable) and their deposition onto a sturdier scaffold is necessary to allow their use in biomedical and/or pharmaceutical fields. Therefore, bilayer scaffolds have been fabricated consisting of a PLA support and SS:PEO fibers obtained from the optimized SS:PEO ratio (1.2:4). They are composed of a sturdy hydrophobic layer of PLA fibers and a layer of sticky hydrophilic SS:PEO fibers. The scaffolds have been characterized extensively by Fourier transforms infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their resistance to mechanical stress. Finally, hydrophobicity of both layers has been determined by measuring the contact angle of water droplets on the scaffolds, further proving the bilayer nature of the scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin methacryloyl scaffolds with microscale fiber structures own great significance because they can effectively mimic the extracellular matrix environment. Compared with extruding bioprinting, electrospinning technology is more suitable for establishing accurate hydrogel microfibers. However, electrospinning accurate gelatin methacryloyl microfiber remains a big challenge restricted by its bad spinnability. In this paper, polyethylene oxide, which owns promising spinnability, is added into gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel precursor to improve the spinnability of gelatin methacryloyl bioink. A three-dimensional motion platform for electrospinning is designed and built and the spinning process of microfibers under far-electric-field and near-electric-field conditions is systematically studied, respectively. As a result, scaffolds consisted of unordered and ordered microfibers are successfully fabricated under far-electric-field and near-electric field, respectively. In vitro culture experiments of human umbilical vein endothelial cells are carried out using the prepared gelatin methacryloyl microfiber scaffolds. The results show that the cells can easily attach to the microfibers and grow well. Moreover, the gelatin methacryloyl/ polyethylene oxide microfiber scaffold was directly spun on the polycaprolactone mesh scaffold printed by fused modeling printing method. The results showed that the macroscopic ordered and microscopic disordered microfiber scaffold could be successfully established, which could lead to directed cell growth. We believe that this method can effectively solve the problem of hydrogel spinnability and be a powerful tool for various biomedical engineering methods in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of different concentrations of salt-added polyethylene oxide (PEO) on the spinnability of chitosan (CS)/PEO + NaCl blends that could be used as a component part of filters for water treatment or nanofiber membranes as well as for medical applications was investigated in this study. The morphological properties of manufactured nanofibers were analyzed as well. It was determined that an increase of PEO concentration resulted mostly in thin and round nanofibers formed during electrospinning, but the manufacturing process became complex, because many wet fibers reached the collector while spinning. Also, it was noticed that the salt was not dissolved completely in the polymer solutions and some crystals were seen in the SEM images of manufactured fiber mats. However, the addition of salt resulted in lower viscosity and better conductivity of solution and fiber mats as well. The opposite effect was observed as the concentration of PEO was increased. The orientation of produced nanofibers as well as their diameter were analyzed with commercially available software. It was determined that the results obtained by software and microscopically are repeatable. The difference among the results of diameter calculated with software and taken by microscope varied from 0% to approximately 12%. The FTIR analyses indicated that alterations in polymer concentrations or the addition of salt did not induce any discernible changes in the chemical composition or nature of the materials under investigation. The sodium chloride present in the solutions enhanced electrical properties and increased conductivity values more than 50 times for PEO solutions and six times for CS/PEO blend solutions, compared to conductivity values of solutions without salt. To assess the thermal characteristics of the PEO/CS blend nanofibers, measurements using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to determine melting (Tm) and crystallization (Tc) temperatures, as well as specific heat capacities were conducted. These parameters were derived from the analysis of endothermic and exothermic peaks observed in the DSC data. It showed that all produced nanofibers were semicrystalline.

Purpose: This paper aims to address the production of biocomposite nanofibers using luffa natural fibers and polyaniline conductive polymer/polyethylene oxides (PANI/PEO). Design/methodology/approach: In this study, luffa natural fibers are extracted by chemical method. After mixing the treated luffa (TL) with the PANI/PEO solution, TL/PANI/PEO nanofibers were produced by electrospinning (ES) method under different ES parameters to examine the optimal conditions for nanofiber production. Then TL/PANI/PEO biocomposite nanofibers prepared in different weight ratios were produced to analyze the effects of luffa in the morphology and thermal properties of the biocomposite nanofibers. The characterization analysis of TL/PANI/PEO biocomposite nanofibers was performed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis methods. Findings: The analysis shows that different weight ratios of TL to PANI/PEO changed the morphology of the membrane. When increasing the weight ratio of TL, the morphological structure of TL/PANI/PEO transformed from nanofiber structure to thin film structure. The appearance of O—H peaks in the FTIR results proved the existence of TL in PANI/PEO nanofibers (membrane). Moreover, an increase in the weight ratio of luffa from 2% to 7.5% leads to an increase in the peak intensity of the O—H group. Regarding DSC analysis, biocomposite nanofibers improved the thermal properties. According to all results, 2%wt TL/PANI/PEO showed optimal morphological properties. Originality/value: Plant cellulose was extracted from the luffa, one of the natural fibers, by method of alkali treatment. A new type of biocomposite nanofibers was produced using TL blend with PANI via electrospinning method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to characterize and evaluate polyethylene oxide (PEO) and chitosan (CS) nanofibers produced by electrospinning method. Electrospinning solutions were used at three different concentrations (1, 2, 3 wt%) with five different PEO/CS mixing ratios (30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, 100/0). FESEM, XRD and FTIR tests were applied for characterization of the nanofibers. Antibacterial activity of the nanofibers against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae microorganisms was investigated using disk diffusion method. While 1 wt% of concentration was not suitable to obtain regular nanofibers, the nanofibers were uniform and largely free of beads at the other ones (2, 3 wt%). The average diameters of the nanofibers varied from 59 to 298 nm depending on the concentration and mixing ratio. Strong hydrogen bonds were formed between two polymers, while the crystal structure of PEO did not change significantly when mixed with chitosan. According to the study, whereas chitosan is resistant to a wide range of germs, PEO/CS nanofibers were not. The reason for this is because when chitosan is electrospun with PEO, the characteristics of the chitosan are altered by the concentrations and ratios used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, silk fibroin (SF) extract was blended with silver nanoparticles (SNPs) to develop electrospun nanofibers whereas polyethylene oxide (PEO) mediated as a template to support the network. The electrospinning process was tuned to get beadles uniform nanofibers. The prepared SNPs and SF were characterized for zaverage (mean hydrodynamic diameter), zeta potential, and UV-visible (vis.) absorbance; and the electrospun nanofibers for surface morphology, elemental analysis, crystalline properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface wettability and thermal analysis. The results indicate that the z-average of SNPs was 50±5 nm with the polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.686 and that of SF as 450±20 nm with the PDI of 0.538, and respective zeta potential being -35±3 and -20±2 mV. The UV-vis. spectra expressed absorbance peaks for SNPs at 400 nm and SF at 279 nm. The surface morphology of composite nanofibers expressed an even mediation of SNPs within the composite nanofibers of uniform diameter. The FTIR results indicated weak intermolecular interactions between SF and the SNPs. The XRD patterns expressed that the crystallinity of resultant composite nanofibers increased on mediation with SNPs. The incorporation of SNPs made the nanofibrous network more hydrophobic and thermally stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a novel ultrathin fibrous membrane with a core–sheath structure as an antioxidant food packaging membrane. The core–sheath structure was prepared by coaxial electrospinning, and the release of active substances was regulated by its special structure. Ferulic acid (FA) was incorporated into the electrospun zein/polyethylene oxide ultrathin fibers to ensure their synergistic antioxidant properties. We found that the prepared ultrathin fibers had a good morphology and smooth surface. The internal structure of the fibers was stable, and the three materials that we used were compatible. For the different loading positions, it was observed that the core layer ferulic-acid-loaded fibers had a sustained action, while the sheath layer ferulic-acid-loaded fibers had a pre-burst action. Finally, apples were selected for packaging using fibrous membranes to simulate practical applications. The fibrous membrane was effective in reducing water loss and apple quality loss, as well as extending the shelf life. According to these experiments, the FA-loaded zein/PEO coaxial electrospinning fiber can be used as antioxidant food packaging and will also undergo more improvements in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]