Search

Chronic wounds often result in multiple infections with various kinds of bacteria and uncontrolled wound exudate, resulting in several healthcare issues. Advanced medicated nanofibres prepared by electrospinning have gained much attention for their topical application on infected chronic wounds. The objective of this work is to enhance the critical variables of ciprofloxacin-loaded polycaprolactone-silk sericin (PCL/SS-PVA-CIP) nanofibre production via the process of electrospinning. To examine the antibacterial effectiveness of PCL/SS-PVA-CIP nanocomposites, the material was tested against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The combination of PCL/SS-PVA-CIP exhibited potent inhibitory properties, with the most effective concentrations of ciprofloxacin (CIP) being 3 μg/g and 7.0 μg/g for each bacterium, respectively. The biocompatibility was evaluated by conducting cell reduction and proliferation studies using the human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in vitro cell lines. The PCL/SS-PVA-CIP showed good cell compatibility with HaCaT and HGF cells, with effective proliferation even at antibiotic doses of up to 7.0 μg/g. The drug release effectiveness of the nanocomposites was assessed at various concentrations of CIP, resulting in a maximum cumulative release of 76.5% and 74.4% after 72 h for CIP concentrations of 3 μg/g and 7 μg/g, respectively. In summary, our study emphasizes the possibility of combining silk sericin (SS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) loading with CIP nanocomposite for wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibre-based membranes have shown great potential for removing textile wastewater due to their high porosity and surface area. However, nanofibre membranes exhibit lower dye removal efficiency. Hence, this study aims to improve the dye removal performance of nanofibre membranes by incorporating zeolites. The research involved fabricating composite membranes by electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibres incorporated with zeolites. Mechanical strength was enhanced by placing the PVA/zeolite nanofibre membrane between fusible nonwoven interfacing and woven polyester fabric, followed by heat treatment. Morphological analysis revealed the uniform dispersion of zeolite particles within the PVA nanofibres. EDX analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of zeolites into the fibres. Among all membrane samples, the PZ-0.75 membrane exhibited the highest pure water flux (PWF) with approximately 1358.57 L·m−2·min−1 for distilled water and 499.85 L·m−2·min−1 for batik wastewater. Turbidity of batik wastewater increased proportionally with zeolite concentration, with removal rates of 84.79%, 78.8%, 76.96%, and 74.19% for PZ-0.75, PZ-0.5, PZ-0.25, and PVA membranes, respectively. Furthermore, the UV/Vis spectrophotometer demonstrated that dye removal efficiency increased from 2.22% to 8.89% as the zeolite concentration increased from 0% to 0.75%. In addition, the PZ-0.75 membrane effectively removed RR dye at a concentration of 1 mg/L, with an optimal contact time of approximately 60 min. The adsorption mechanism of the PZ-0.75 membrane aligns with the Freundlich model, with an R2 value of 0.983. Overall, this study demonstrates the efficiency of zeolite in the fabric substrates to improve the filtration and adsorption properties for wastewater treatment, particularly in textile industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utility of polymers in the fabrication of nanofibres via electrospinning is well established. Paramount to their application is understanding of their thermal properties, as these dictate not only their processability but also their mechanical robustness, stability under elevated temperatures, and suitability for intended applications. The electrospinning process, which involves heating polymers and subjecting them to high voltage, inherently modifies their thermal characteristics. This study attempts to elucidate these alterations, particularly by focusing on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibres. Employing techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the study compares the thermal properties of electrospun PAN nanofibre mats with those of their virgin counterparts. The PAN nanofibres were synthesised by electrospinning the PAN polymer solution and collecting the resultant mat on a flat plate collector. For a comparative analysis, virgin PAN, from which nanofibres were derived, underwent identical thermal testing. The findings reveal a reduction in the glass transition temperature of PAN nanofibres by approximately 3–5 % compared to virgin PAN. In addition, a significant reduction in heat capacity of about 42 % was observed in the nanofibres. Additionally, the TGA results indicated solvent evaporation at approximately 110 °C. Therefore, this investigation sheds light on the nuanced alterations in the thermal characteristics of PAN nanofibre mats as a result of the electrospinning process, providing vital insights for their application in various thermal management scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the performance of a Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) system experimentally and theoretically. The system uses a super hydrophobic electrospun nanofiber membrane to desalinate water. Investigations were carried out into how the feed concentration, feed flow rate, and feed temperature affected permeate flux. as system operating parameters to aid in comprehending the factors impacting the DCMD process. The application of DOE and Taguchi methods achieved statistical optimization of the DCMD process's performance. In addition, the study of mass and heat transport in DCMD was described by a theoretical model. While the feed concentration significantly affected flux, the feed's temperature and flow rate mostly dominated the impact on system performance. The created model numerically solved the DCMD process using MATLAB software, describing it as a system of nonlinear equations. Various operating conditions were used to investigate the efficiency of the superhydrophobic electrospun nanofiber membrane in treating 210 g/L NaCl salt water. Changing the feed temperature and concentration affected the hypothetically suggested path across the membrane, according to the simulation results presented in this paper. Excellent agreement was observed between the experiment results and the constructed model's predicted results. Every instance maintained a high salt rejection rate (over 99.9%). The DCMD produced a gain output ratio (GOR) of 0.87 and a temperature polarization coefficient of 0.78 to 0.91. The system achieved a maximum thermal efficiency of 73.5%.

Background: 'Periodontitis' refers to periodontal destruction of connective tissue attachment and bone, in response to microorganisms forming subgingival biofilms on the root surface, while 'apical periodontitis' refers to periapical inflammatory processes occurring in response to microorganisms within the root canal system. The treatment of both diseases is based on the elimination of the bacterial challenge, though its predictability depends on the ability of disrupting these biofilms, what may need adjunctive antibacterial strategies, such as the next‐generation antibacterial strategies (NGAS). From all the newly developed NGAS, the use of polymeric nanotechnology may pose a potential effective approach. Although some of these strategies have only been tested in vitro and in preclinical in vivo models, their use holds a great potential, and therefore, it is relevant to understand their mechanism of action and evaluate their scientific evidence of efficacy. Objectives: To explore NGAS based on polymeric nanotechnology used for the potential treatment of periodontitis and apical periodontitis. Method: A systemic search of scientific publications of adjunctive antimicrobial strategies using nanopolymers to treat periodontal and periapical diseases was conducted using The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE by PubMed), The Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, EMBASE and Web of Science. Results: Different polymeric nanoparticles, nanofibres and nanostructured hydrogels combined with antimicrobial substances have been identified in the periodontal literature, being the most commonly used nanopolymers of polycaprolactone, poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) and chitosan. As antimicrobials, the most frequently used have been antibiotics, though other antimicrobial substances, such as metallic ions, peptides and naturally derived products, have also been added to the nanopolymers. Conclusion: Polymeric nanomaterials containing antimicrobial compounds may be considered as a potential NGAS. Its relative efficacy, however, is not well understood since most of the existing evidence is derived from in vitro or preclinical in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon nonwoven nanofibres (ACNN) mat derived from polyacrylonitrile was manufactured through the electrospinning method followed by thermal treatment steps. The ACNN ability to adsorb Pb(II) from a liquid solution was evaluated. The fabricated ACNN was characterized using scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The resulting ACNN exhibited nanofibres with a diameter of 530 nm and a surface area of 550 m2/g. Various adsorption experiments were performed in batch scale to study the impact of factors like contact time, initial Pb(II) ions concentration, and pH. At pH 5, ACNN achieved a removal efficiency of 98% of Pb(II). The equilibrium data for Pb(II) ions was analysed using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. Both kinetic models (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order) and isotherm models were tested. Results revealed that the Langmuir model accurately described the adsorption isotherm of Pb(II) with a maximum capacity of 15.72 mg/g. Data analysis suggested that the pseudo-second-order model better represented the kinetic adsorption behaviour of Pb(II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound healing is a complex process that orchestrates the coordinated action of various cells, cytokines and growth factors. Nanotechnology offers exciting new possibilities for enhancing the healing process by providing novel materials and approaches to deliver bioactive molecules to the wound site. This article elucidates recent advancements in utilizing nanoparticles, nanofibres and nanosheets for wound healing. It comprehensively discusses the advantages and limitations of each of these materials, as well as their potential applications in various types of wounds. Each of these materials, despite sharing common properties, can exhibit distinct practical characteristics that render them particularly valuable for healing various types of wounds. In this review, our primary focus is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in applying nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanosheets and their combinations to wound healing, serving as a valuable resource to guide researchers in their appropriate utilization of these nanomaterials in wound‐healing research. Further studies are necessary to gain insight into the application of this type of nanomaterials in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers stand out as promising materials extensively employed in biomedicine and biotechnology. Their versatile applications owe much to the field of tissue engineering, which seamlessly integrates materials engineering with medical science. In medicine, biomaterials serve as prototypes for organ development and as implants or scaffolds to facilitate body regeneration. With the growing demand for innovative solutions, synthetic and hybrid polymer materials, such as polyethersulfone, are gaining traction. This article offers a concise characterization of polyethersulfone followed by an exploration of its diverse applications in medical and biotechnological realms. It concludes by summarizing the significant roles of polyethersulfone in advancing both medicine and biotechnology, as outlined in the accompanying table. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catechins in their free form are bitter in taste, and undergo deterioration and oxidation during processing and storage that limit their use as nutraceuticals in foods. Therefore, catechins were electrospun using zein as encapsulating polymer into nanofibres at 15, 18 and 21% w/w concentrations, 16, 20 and 24 kV applied voltage and 0.5 and 1.0 mL/h feed rate. The electrospinning conditions were optimized using Taguchi L18 (21 × 32) design. Encapsulation efficiency as high as 92.8% and mean fibre diameter as low as 95.2 nm were obtained at 18% concentration of zein, 0.5 mL/h feed rate and 20 kV applied voltage. Scanning electron and atomic force micrographs revealed that the nanofibres produced at zein concentration of 18% and above were clean and beadfree, with cylindrical morphology and non-porous topography. The hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and polydispersity index of catechins-loaded nanofibres at optimized conditions were 172.3 nm, −26.3 mV and 0.15. FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry confirmed that catechins were encapsulated within the nanofibres. The catechins got released from loaded nanofibres in a controlled and sustained manner, while their antioxidant property was retained. The physico-chemical and sensory qualities of milk were not affected after fortification with catechins-loaded nanofibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate the opto-humidity sensing and colour tuning in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymeric electrospun nanofibres dispersed with Tb(Sal)3Phen (TSP) and Eu(DBM)3Phen (EDP) complexes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence analysis were used to thoroughly analyse the structural, morphological, and spectroscopic features of the synthesised nanofibres in single and stacked multilayer nanofibres. A spectroscopic analysis was performed on all configuration schemes. Under UV excitations, the synthesised TSP complex and EDP complex inhibited nanofibres yield green and red emission corresponding to 5D4→7Fj (j = 4, 5, 6) and 5D0→7Fj (j = 0, 1, 2, 3) transitions attributed to Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions, respectively. The EDP nanofibres presented better UV radiation absorption than TSP, which was attributed to higher absorptivity of DBM than Sal. Additionally, the photoluminescence intensity ratio of characteristic emission peaks i.e. 544 nm (5D4→7F5)/615 nm (5D0→7F2) is function of humidity exposure and excitation wavelength. The stacked multilayer nanofibres exhibit good response and recovery times, 35 and 52 s, negligible hysteresis, and cyclic stability.

Chronic wounds often result in multiple infections with various kinds of bacteria and uncontrolled wound exudate, resulting in several healthcare issues. Advanced medicated nanofibres prepared by electrospinning have gained much attention for their topical application on infected chronic wounds. The objective of this work is to enhance the critical variables of ciprofloxacin-loaded polycaprolactone-silk sericin (PCL/SS-PVA-CIP) nanofibre production via the process of electrospinning. To examine the antibacterial effectiveness of PCL/SS-PVA-CIP nanocomposites, the material was tested against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The combination of PCL/SS-PVA-CIP exhibited potent inhibitory properties, with the most effective concentrations of ciprofloxacin (CIP) being 3 μg/g and 7.0 μg/g for each bacterium, respectively. The biocompatibility was evaluated by conducting cell reduction and proliferation studies using the human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in vitro cell lines. The PCL/SS-PVA-CIP showed good cell compatibility with HaCaT and HGF cells, with effective proliferation even at antibiotic doses of up to 7.0 μg/g. The drug release effectiveness of the nanocomposites was assessed at various concentrations of CIP, resulting in a maximum cumulative release of 76.5% and 74.4% after 72 h for CIP concentrations of 3 μg/g and 7 μg/g, respectively. In summary, our study emphasizes the possibility of combining silk sericin (SS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) loading with CIP nanocomposite for wound management.

Fibre-based porous ceramics are widely used as high-temperature insulation materials due to their good chemical stability and excellent thermal insulation performance. However, the potential roles and mechanical properties of high-entropy fibrous porous ceramics have rarely been explored. In this study, rare-earth zirconate (Dy 0.2 Y 0.2 Ho 0.2 Er 0.2 Yb 0.2) 2 Zr 2 O 7 (DYHEY) high-entropy nanofibrous porous ceramics (HENFPCs) were prepared using short-cut fibres by gel-casting combined with freeze-drying. The DYHEY HENFPCs exhibited very high porosity (93.86–97.50%), low thermal conductivity (0.0339–0.0741 W/(m·K)) and good compressive strength (53.17–129.65 kPa). The HENFPC sintered at 800 °C with 1 wt% agarose content exhibited the lowest room-temperature thermal conductivity of 0.0339 W/(m·K). Besides, when the front side temperature of HENFPCs reached above 1300 °C, the back side temperature was only about 200 °C. The temperature difference over 1100 °C revealed HENFEPCs get excellent thermal stability as ideal lightweight high-temperature thermal insulation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air filtration is an urgent global need because, in many countries and regions, the high concentration of inhalable suspended particles in the air is causing irreversible damage to human health. The use of nanofibrous membranes can help to reduce airborne particulate matter because of their large surface area, extremely porous structure, and adjustable pore size. However, despite their unique properties, the main drawbacks of nanofibre membranes are their poor mechanical properties. This review focuses on nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning, a versatile technique in which the process parameters allow control of the morphology and dimensional characteristics of the nanofibres. Recent literature on air filtration is reviewed, focusing on the performance of materials such as pure or mixed polymers, organic–inorganic composites, and ‘green’ materials in the form of nanofibrous membranes. Finally, the recently proposed layered structures for nanofibre-based air filters are reviewed, offering the latest and most innovative solutions.

Abstract The outbreak of COVID‐19 disease, the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, is considered a worldwide public health concern. Although studies indicated that the virus could spread through respiratory particles or droplets in close contact, current research have revealed that the virus stays viable in aerosols for several hours. Numerous investigations have highlighted the protective role of air purifiers in the management of COVID‐19 transmission, however, there are still some doubts regarding the efficiency and safety of these technologies. According to those observations, using a proper ventilation system can extensively decrease the spread of COVID‐19. However, most of those strategies are currently in the experimental stages. This review aimed at summarising the safety and effectiveness of the recent approaches in this field including using nanofibres that prevent the spread of airborne viruses like SARS‐CoV‐2. Here, the efficacy of controlling COVID‐19 by means of combining multiple strategies is comprehensively discussed.

Due to an incessant upsurge in the construction industry and the steep increase in the cost of raw materials, researchers are focusing on various resources that can be replaced with cement as a construction material. One such material that is rich in Silicon and Aluminium is Flyash. Flyash as an additive to concrete made a way for a contemporary material that was coined as Geopolymer Concrete (GPC). In Geopolymer, alkaline activators such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide are mixed with sodium silicate so as to form geo-polymerization with products like GGBS, flyash etc. and which as a result binds the aggregate. This paper mainly emphasizes on role of Crumb Rubber (CR) in the formation of GPC replacing the fine aggregates by various percentages (5% - 15%) of CR. The Geopolymer mix design is proposed for M40 grade. Compressive and tensile strength tests were carried out on concrete modified with Flyash and GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) in 60:40 ratios. At a molarity of 14M, ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide is maintained as 2.5. The samples were placed in an ambient condition and were tested for strength on 7, 14 and 28 days. Based on the experimental results, it was observed that use of CR in GPC does not enhance the strength properties and cannot be used in high-end structural applications only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air filtration is an urgent global need because, in many countries and regions, the high concentration of inhalable suspended particles in the air is causing irreversible damage to human health. The use of nanofibrous membranes can help to reduce airborne particulate matter because of their large surface area, extremely porous structure, and adjustable pore size. However, despite their unique properties, the main drawbacks of nanofibre membranes are their poor mechanical properties. This review focuses on nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning, a versatile technique in which the process parameters allow control of the morphology and dimensional characteristics of the nanofibres. Recent literature on air filtration is reviewed, focusing on the performance of materials such as pure or mixed polymers, organic–inorganic composites, and 'green' materials in the form of nanofibrous membranes. Finally, the recently proposed layered structures for nanofibre-based air filters are reviewed, offering the latest and most innovative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibres have gained attention for their highly porous structure, narrow pore size, and high specific surface area. One of the most efficient techniques for producing nanofibres is electrospinning. These fibres are used in various fields, including water filtration. Although they possess the ability to filter various components, the fibres generally have low mechanical strength, which can mitigate their performance over time. To address this, studies have focused on enhancing nanofibre membrane strength for water filtration. Previous analyses show that the mechanical properties of nanofibre mats can be improved through solvent vapour treatment, thermal treatment, and chemical crosslinking. These treatments promote interfibre bonding, leading to the improvement of mechanical strength. However, excessive treatment alters nanofibre behaviour. Excessive heat exposure reduces interfibre bonding, while too much solvent vapour decreases pore size and mechanical strength. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of these post-treatments is crucial. This review examines post-treatments aiming to increase the mechanical strength of nanofibre mats, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these treatments is essential for optimising nanofibre membrane performance in water filtration and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers stand out as promising materials extensively employed in biomedicine and biotechnology. Their versatile applications owe much to the field of tissue engineering, which seamlessly integrates materials engineering with medical science. In medicine, biomaterials serve as prototypes for organ development and as implants or scaffolds to facilitate body regeneration. With the growing demand for innovative solutions, synthetic and hybrid polymer materials, such as polyethersulfone, are gaining traction. This article offers a concise characterization of polyethersulfone followed by an exploration of its diverse applications in medical and biotechnological realms. It concludes by summarizing the significant roles of polyethersulfone in advancing both medicine and biotechnology, as outlined in the accompanying table.

Nearly four decades after cultured epidermal autografts (CEA) were first used for the treatment of extensive burn wounds, the current gold standard treatment remains grafting healthy autologous skin from a donor site to the damaged areas, with current skin substitutes limited in their clinical use. We propose a novel treatment approach, using an electrospun polymer nanofibrous matrix (EPNM) applied on-site directly on the CEA-grafted areas. In addition, we propose a personalised treatment on hard-to-heal areas, in which we spray suspended autologous keratinocytes integrated with 3D EPNM applied on-site, directly onto the wound bed. This method enables the coverage of larger wound areas than possible with CEA. We present the case of a 26-year-old male patient with full-thickness burns covering 98% of his total body surface area (TBSA). We were able to show that this treatment approach resulted in good re-epithelialisation, seen as early as seven days post CEA grafting, with complete wound closure within three weeks, and to a lesser extent in areas treated with cell spraying. Moreover, in vitro experiments confirmed the feasibility of using keratinocytes embedded within the EPNM: cell and culture viability, identity, purity and potency were determined. These experiments show that the skin cells are viable and can proliferate within the EPNM. The results presented are of a promising novel strategy for the development of personalised wound treatment, integrating on-the-spot 'printed' EPNM with autologous skin cells, which will be applied at the bedside, over deep dermal wounds, to accelerate healing time and wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of COVID‐19 disease, the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, is considered a worldwide public health concern. Although studies indicated that the virus could spread through respiratory particles or droplets in close contact, current research have revealed that the virus stays viable in aerosols for several hours. Numerous investigations have highlighted the protective role of air purifiers in the management of COVID‐19 transmission, however, there are still some doubts regarding the efficiency and safety of these technologies. According to those observations, using a proper ventilation system can extensively decrease the spread of COVID‐19. However, most of those strategies are currently in the experimental stages. This review aimed at summarising the safety and effectiveness of the recent approaches in this field including using nanofibres that prevent the spread of airborne viruses like SARS‐CoV‐2. Here, the efficacy of controlling COVID‐19 by means of combining multiple strategies is comprehensively discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is a nifty process of producing nanofibers in different nanometers ranging from 1 nm to 1000 nm. Nanofiber production is now one of the most important achievements in nanotechnology. Small fiber diameter, large surface area, layer thinness, high porosity, and low base weight are characteristics of electrospun fibers. After being dissolved in a solvent and melted, polymers can be electrospun into nanofibers. The process parameters include flow rate, applied voltage, the distance between the needle tip to the collector, and solution properties. In this article, the electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and their biopolymer blends like Azadirachta indica (Neem), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), Vitex negundo have been reviewed. The application of electrospun nanofibers has been used in the diversified technical areas of biomedical such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. Even though polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic polymer, it is easily biodegradable since the solvent for PVA is water only. The other polymers used are also biocompatible and biodegradable.

The aim of this study is to correlate the solubility and electrospinnability of gelatin in different organic solvent systems. Teas graph was employed using the Hansen parameters in this systematic study to map the solvents that dissolve and enable the electrospinning of gelatin. It was found that in some cases, the solvent dissolved gelatin but the solution was not spinnable. Increasing the hydrogen bonding force (fh) assisted in the electrospinning of the gelatin solution. Higher dispersion force (fd) improves the electrospinnability at lower concentration of gelatin. The viscosity of the solution of pure acetic acid (AA) is higher than the binary solution of 3:1 AA/water and 3:1 AA/tetrahydrofuran (THF) for the same concentration of gelatin; the higher viscosity enhanced the electrospinning properties. Interestingly, field-emission scanning electron microscopy arrayed that the effect of increasing the concentration of gelatin in the pure AA system resulted in the formation of thicker fibres, however, it induced the formation of uniform fibres in the 3:1 AA/water system, whereas beaded morphology was obtained when lower concentration of gelatin was used. The fibres obtained from electrospinning the solution of 3:1 AA/THF resulted in the formation of thicker and non-uniform fibres due to the low electrical conductivity as well as the high volatility of the solution. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy portrayed all the major peaks of gelatin in the electrospun fibres. However, widening of the Amide-A peak of gelatin was observed when the solvent system of formic acid and 3:1 AA/THF were used. Thermal study of the fibre mats depicts that the binary solvent system using AA is more suitable to obtain nanofibres with more analogous structure to pristine gelatin. The electrospun samples of gelatin in the different solvent systems did not exhibit any cytotoxity on the HeLa cell line. Teas graph can be used as a quick solvent selection tool to prepare electrospinning solutions of gelatin blended with synthetic polymers to obtain nanofibres for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low pressure drop is highly desirable for respiratory filters. Surface activation plays an important role to enhance the filtration performance of respiratory filters. In this study, a three-layer composite respiratory filter was developed using a combination of polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers and chitosan nanofibres (CSNF) with variable coating time (h) during the electrospinning process. To study the impact of surface activation on filtration performance, the outer surface of all the samples were modified using low-pressure plasma treatment. Filtration performance testing was conducted to determine the filtration efficiency (%), pressure drop (Pa), and quality factor (Q) results, before and after the surface treatment. The maximum values of filtration efficiency and quality factor achieved were 99.99% and 0.068, respectively. The lowest value of the pressure drop was 16.12 Pa. All the low-pressure plasma-treated samples showed higher filtration efficiency and quality factor compared to untreated samples due to a more effective capturing mechanism. However, pressure drop results indicated no significant difference. Furthermore, the decay of plasma treatment impact was analysed by using drop shape analysis method to measure the water contact angle on the surface of the samples. Results showed a gradual decrease in surface modification impact and the surface of the treated samples changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with the passage of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, scientists have been continually striving to develop innovative solutions to design and fabricate medicines with improved therapeutic potential. Conventional dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, and injections, are limited when exploited for advanced therapeutics, such as drug targeting. To cater to these limitations, nanofibres have emerged as novel nanomaterials to provide enhanced bioavailability, targeted drug release, extended drug release profile, minimum toxicity, and reduced dosage frequency, which has indisputably improved patient adherence and compliance. This review will concern understanding the potential of drug-loaded nanofibres in drug delivery while comprehending a detailed description of their different production methods. The literature has been thoroughly reviewed to appreciate their potential in developing nanofibrous-based pharmaceutical formulations. Overall, this review has highlighted the importance, versatility, and adaptability of nanofibres in developing medicines with varied drug release kinetics. Several problems must be resolved for their full commercial realisation, such as the drug loading, the initial burst effect, the residual organic solvent, the stability of active agents, and the combined usage of new or existing biocompatible polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured systems based on ZnO nanoparticles composite systems/polymer fibers have attracted a lot of attention in the last years because of their applications in multiple areas. Nanofibres based on polymers are used in many domains such as nanocatalysis, controlled release of medicines, environmental protection and so on. This work show the synthesis of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) nanofiber useful as substrates for growing ZnO nanocrystals and that ZnO is an unorganic metal oxide nanoparticle used to improve the piezoelectric properties of the polymer. The piezoelectric propertiesof ZnO-doped polymeric was investigated with atomic force microscopy and measurements were performed, in contact technique, in piezoelectric response mode (PFM).In order to analyze the structural and textural features, the obtained materials were characterized using advanced physical-chemical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns show the characteristic reflections of ZnO with a hexagonal type wurtzit structure and the broad peaks of the polymer. The SEM images reveal the presence of ZnO nanoparticles on top of the polymer nanofibres.In most ZnO-based nanocomposites their morphology is uncontrolled (agglomerated granules), but in ase of using cellulose acetobutyrate this becomes controlled by observing through flower-like structures SEM and AFM) The study of the functional properties of ZnO/polymer fiber composite systems showed that they have piezoelectric properties which give them the characteristics of smart material with possible sensor and actuator applications.Recent literature reports that the synthesis and characterization of ZnO-polymer nanocomposites are more flexible materials for various applications.

Electrospinning is a nifty process of producing nanofibers in different nanometers ranging from 1 nm to 1000 nm. Nanofiber production is now one of the most important achievements in nanotechnology. Small fiber diameter, large surface area, layer thinness, high porosity, and low base weight are characteristics of electrospun fibers. After being dissolved in a solvent and melted, polymers can be electrospun into nanofibers. The process parameters include flow rate, applied voltage, the distance between the needle tip to the collector, and solution properties. In this article, the electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and their biopolymer blends like Azadirachta indica (Neem), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), Vitex negundo have been reviewed. The application of electrospun nanofibers has been used in the diversified technical areas of biomedical such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. Even though polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic polymer, it is easily biodegradable since the solvent for PVA is water only. The other polymers used are also biocompatible and biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Guided tissue regeneration has been considered a promising strategy to replace conventional endodontic therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a tubular scaffold (TB‐SC) with poly (caprolactone)‐aligned nanofibres associated with a fibronectin (FN)‐loaded collagen hydrogel and assess the pulp regeneration potential mediated by human apical papilla cells (hAPCs) using an in vitro model of teeth with incomplete root formation. Methodology: Aligned nanofibre strips based on 10% poly(caprolactone) (PCL) were synthesized with the electrospinning technique to produce the TB‐SCs. These were submitted to different treatments, according to the following groups: TB‐SC (negative control): TB‐SC without treatment; TB‐SC + FN (positive control): TB‐SC coated with 10 μg/ml of FN; TB‐SC + H: TB‐SC associated with collagen hydrogel; TB‐SC + HFN: TB‐SC associated with FN‐loaded collagen hydrogel. Then, the biomaterials were inserted into cylindrical devices to mimic the regenerative therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation. The hAPCs were seeded on the upper surface of the TB‐SCs associated or not with any treatment, and cell migration/proliferation and the gene expression of markers related to pulp regeneration (ITGA5, ITGAV, COL1A1 and COL1A3) were evaluated. The data were submitted to anova/Tukey's tests (α = 5%). Results: Higher values of cell migration/proliferation and gene expression of all markers tested were observed in groups TB‐SC + FN, TB‐SC + H, and TB‐SC + HFN compared with the TB‐SC group (p <.05). The hAPCs in the TB‐SC + HFN group showed the highest values of cell proliferation and gene expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 (p <.05), as well as superior cell migration results to groups TB‐SC and TB‐SC + H (p <.05). Conclusion: Aligned nanofibre scaffolds associated with the FN‐loaded collagen hydrogel enhanced the migration and proliferation of hAPCs and gene expression of pulp regeneration markers. Therefore, the use of these biomaterials may be considered an interesting strategy for regenerative pulp therapy of teeth with incomplete root formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibres have gained attention for their highly porous structure, narrow pore size, and high specific surface area. One of the most efficient techniques for producing nanofibres is electrospinning. These fibres are used in various fields, including water filtration. Although they possess the ability to filter various components, the fibres generally have low mechanical strength, which can mitigate their performance over time. To address this, studies have focused on enhancing nanofibre membrane strength for water filtration. Previous analyses show that the mechanical properties of nanofibre mats can be improved through solvent vapour treatment, thermal treatment, and chemical crosslinking. These treatments promote interfibre bonding, leading to the improvement of mechanical strength. However, excessive treatment alters nanofibre behaviour. Excessive heat exposure reduces interfibre bonding, while too much solvent vapour decreases pore size and mechanical strength. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of these post-treatments is crucial. This review examines post-treatments aiming to increase the mechanical strength of nanofibre mats, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these treatments is essential for optimising nanofibre membrane performance in water filtration and other applications.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposable plastics, including medical masks, which have become a necessity in our daily lives. As these are often improperly disposed of, they represent an important potential source of microplastics in the environment. We prepared microplastics from polypropylene medical masks and characterised their size, shape, organic chemical leaching, and acute toxicity to the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna. The three layers of the masks were separately milled and characterised. Each of the inner frontal, middle filtering, and outer layers yielded different types of microplastics: fibres were obtained from the inner and outer layer, but irregular fragments from the middle layer. The shape of the obtained microplastics differed from the initial fibrous structure of the intact medical mask layers, which indicates that the material is deformed during cryo-milling. The chemical compositions of plastics-associated chemicals also varied between the different layers. Typically, the inner layer contained more chemicals related to antimicrobial function and flavouring. The other two layers also contained antioxidants and their degradation products, plasticisers, cross-linking agents, antistatic agents, lubricants, and non-ionic surfactants. An acute study with D. magna showed that these microplastics do not cause immobility but do physically interact with the daphnids. Further long-term studies with these microplastics are needed using a suite of test organisms. Indeed, studies with other polypropylene microplastics have shown numerous adverse effects on other organisms at concentrations that have already been reported in the environment. Further efforts should be made to investigate the environmental hazards of polypropylene microplastics from medical masks and how to handle this new source of environmental burden.

Objective: Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) has considerable mechanical and biological properties that make it a good candidate for tissue engineering applications. PCL alongside proteins and polysaccharides, like gelatin (GEL) and chondroitin sulphate (CS), can be used to fabricate composite scaffolds that provide mechanical and biological requirements for skin tissue engineering scaffolds. The aim of this study was fabricating novel composite nanofibrous scaffold containing various ratios of GEL/CS and PCL using co-electrospinning process. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, PCL mixed with a GEL/CS blend has limitations in miscibility and the lack of a common solvent. Here, we electrospun PCL and GEL/CS coincide separately on the same drum by using different nozzles to create composite nanofibrous scaffolds with different ratios (2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) of GEL to CSPCL, and we mixed them at the micro/nanoscale. Morphology, porosity, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) absorption, chemical structure, mechanical property and in vitro bioactivity of the prepared composite scaffolds were analysed. Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed beadless nanofibres at all ratios of GEL to CS-PCL. The composite scaffolds (2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) had increased porosity compared to the PCL nanofibrous scaffolds, in addition to a significant increase in PBS absorption. The mechanical properties of the composite scaffolds were investigated under different conditions. The results demonstrated that all of the composite specimens had better strength when compared with the GEL/CS nanofibres. The increase in PCL ratio led to an increase in tensile strength of the nanofibres. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were cultured on the fabricated composite scaffolds and evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-5-(3 carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) analysis and SEM. The results showed the bioactivity of these nanofibres and the potential for these scaffolds to be used for skin tissue engineering applications. Conclusion: The fabricated co-electrospun composite scaffolds had higher porosity and PBS absorption in comparison with the PCL nanofibrous scaffolds, in addition to significant improvements in mechanical properties under wet and dry conditions compared to the GEL/CS scaffold.

Background: Zein is the major protein in corn and the main byproduct of the starch industry and, therefore, crucial for global agricultural commodities. Its unique fibre-forming properties, which underline its potential as a biodegradable material, have drawn intensified interest from the public, scientists, and industries because of growing concern about environmental risks. As zein electrospun nanofibre has been studied in different research fields, the recent advances in zein electrospun nanofibres in the therapeutic field need re-examination. Scope and approach: This review provides an overview of various methods of modifications (e.g., crosslinking, deamidation and glycosylation on the fibre-forming properties of zein and different electrospun setups (e.g., emulsion and multi-layer electrospinning) in the last decade and reports current applications in the therapeutic field such as controlled release, wound healing, tissue engineering and biosensor. It also discussed the mechanisms of modifications such as electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals forces. Key findings and conclusions: The biocompatibility, fibre-forming and encapsulation properties of zein make it a potential replacement for traditional synthetic materials. Since specific properties of zein-based materials are acquirable via different modifications and processing, developing an insight into the relationship between functions and microstructure and conformations of the modified zein-based nanofibres along with different electrospun processes could contribute to high-quality zein-based fibrous products. It also discussed the potential limitations and challenges of zein-based nanofibres.

Byssinosis is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease very common in textile cotton workers due to inhalation of fine cotton dust and gram negative bacteria. A three layer composite respiratory filter was developed for Byssinosis prevention by using the combination of polypropylene (PP) based meltblown layers and chitosan nanofibres (CSNF). Filtration efficiency against fine particulates ranges from 100 nm to 2.5 μm and anti-bacterial activity against Pantoea agglomerans were investigated. Chitosan nanofibres were produced by using the electrospinning process and were sandwiched between two PP layers to improve the overall surface area of the filter as well as providing a protective barrier against bacterial pathogens. The filter sample with just 2 hour's CSNF coating showed more than 99% filtration efficiency with a low pressure drop of 71.6 Pa and a high quality factor value 0.082. The antibacterial performance of CSNF layers achieved up to 91% against the Pantoea agglomerans. Finally, results concluded that the developed respiratory filter can potentially reduce Byssinosis in textile workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bi-metallic zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) exhibits greater attention because of its attractive physicochemical properties. Herein, we report the non-enzymatic selective electrochemical detection of catechol (CC) using cobalt–nickel zeolitic imidazolate framework nanofibres (Ni-ZIF-67 NFs) fabricated by the electrospinning route. Owing to donor–acceptor and hydrogen bonding interactions between the metal ions and imidazole, forming tetrahedral coordination with an increased crystalline state further provides excellent mechanical stability. The porous nature of the Ni-ZIF-67 NFs sample gives good catalytic property; as a result, the response of nanofibre composite is linearly proportional to the concentration of CC in the range of 10 nM–1 mM with the detection limit of 4 nM. The prepared electrode shows good anti-interference ability and reproducibility. Finally, the fabricated electrode has been successfully utilized for the detection of targeted analytes for real-time sample analysis i.e. tea and coffee samples with significant results. Ni-ZIF-67 NFs have been successfully fabricated by electrospinning method and utilized for the detection of catechol. The bi-metallic ZIF material shows high stability, improved electrocatalytic behaviour having a detection range of 10 nM–1 mM with the detection limit of 4 nM should be useful further for diverse bio-sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in nanofibre application, such as water treatment, have increased the need to identify renewable resources and green methods for nanofibre production. In this study, natural rubber latex (NRL) mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was electrospun to form nanofibre films, and the best PVA/NRL ratio suitable for aqueous applications was determined. The films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and a weight loss test by dissolution. SEM images revealed relatively thicker and smoother fibres, with larger average pore diameters in fibre films with higher PVA content (60% PVA/NRL and 70% PVA/NRL). Fibre films with lower PVA content (40% PVA/NRL and 50% PVA/NRL) had relatively thinner fibres and smaller average pore diameters, which are desirable characteristics for contaminant adsorption. The FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that 60% PVA/NRL and 70% PVA/NRL would be more soluble in water than 40% PVA/NRL and 50% PVA/NRL due to the intense peaks of C = O stretching of acetate groups (1738 cm−1) observed in fibre films with higher PVA content. This was confirmed in a weight loss test, which revealed that though increasing PVA content (60 and 70%) improved NRL's electrospinnability, the increased PVA content caused a loss of fibre film mass in water. Therefore, 50% PVA/NRL will be a better option for application in aqueous processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present article, we report the synthesis of Tb(Sal)3Phen complex and the fabrication of polymeric nanofibres. Nanofibres of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA) polymers, dispersed with lanthanide complex, are prepared by electrospinning process. Detailed structural and spectroscopic properties of the complex and nanofibres have been investigated. The PAN nanofibres were of diameter 232 ± 20 nm and length > 200 μm, while PVA host fibres had a diameter 257 ± 20 nm and length > 200 μm. The surface analysis of the nanofibres indicates a smoother and inflexible surface of the PAN nanofibres in comparison to the PVA nanofibres. Tb(Sal)3Phen complex emits bright blue-green emissions, attributed to salicylic acid and Tb3+ ions. The emission intensity of the TSP complex is significantly modified in nanofibres. It is observed that the Tb3+ ion yield brighter emissions in PVA nanofibres than the PAN nanofibres due to the limited dispersibility of the complex in PAN polymer. Moreover, the PVA matrix provides a more asymmetric microenvironment around the complex than the PAN matrix. The time-resolved emission spectroscopy reveals the presence of two relaxation channels in salicylic acid, which is delayed in nanofibres. The detailed colour analysis and photophysics of the observed results are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valorisation of bio-based materials derived from agricultural and industrial side-streams or waste-streams is a basis of circular economy. However, the success of it depends on the full understanding of materials and finding their optimal way of processing. Barley husk is a side-stream waste material derived from the starch and ethanol production. This study is focused on the processability of the arabinoxylan extracted from barley husk using the electrospinning technique to produce thin xylan-poly(vinyl alcohol) fibres. As a comparison, lignin-free xylan of beech wood was used. The properties of spinning solutions and resulting nanofibrous mats were assessed by using rheological measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. It was found that solubility plays a crucial role in the spinnability of xylan extracts. Decrease in viscosity of arabinoxylan achieved by decreasing its concentration was found to improve the jet stability but at the same time, to reduce the diameter of spun fibre. Hydrophilicity of nanofibrous mats were strongly affected by the type of xylan and solvent used. The xylan-based nanofibres have specific properties that could be used for developing value-added applications, such as material for scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery, medical implants, biosensors, wound dressing, water filtration and packaging or further process into carbon nanofibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]