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Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers
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Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 6671

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Lan Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: electrospinning; nanomaterials; electrode materials; flexible sensors; flexible nanogenerator

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanofibers have characteristics such as a high specific surface area, high surface energy, and high surface activity, and can be applied for filtration or as barriers, separators, electrode materials, biomedical materials, and new lightweight composite materials. Electrospinning technology is one of the most convenient, direct, and economical methods for preparing nanofibers. In recent years, electrospun nanofibers have attracted much attention due to their unique structure and flexible design. The use of electrospinning technology can easily change the elemental composition of nanofibers, effectively compounding multiple independent units, thus achieving uniform dispersion of inorganic nanoparticles in polymer nanofibers. In addition, electrospun nanofibers can also form complex hierarchical structures by controlling subsequent calcination processes or chemical synthesis, purposefully endowing nanofibers with various functions, including electrochemical activity, drug release properties, electromagnetic shielding performance, sensing performance, and even intelligent regulation functions. Therefore, electrospun nanofibers have shown great application prospects in areas such as the environment, energy, sensors, biology, medicine, and advanced manufacturing technology.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of research articles or reviews focusing on the synthesis, preparation, characterization, functionalization, and application of electrospun nanofibers and their derived materials.

Prof. Dr. Lan Xu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • electrospinning
  • nanofibers
  • nanofiber-based materials
  • energy storage nanomaterials
  • biomedical nanomaterials
  • nanofiber-based material applications

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4615 KiB  
Article
Water-Resistant Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrospun Membranes Enabled by In Situ UV-Cross-Linking for Efficient Daytime Radiative Cooling
by Haiyan Zhang, Qingpeng Wang, Zhiguang Xu and Yan Zhao
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020421 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 721
Abstract
Daytime radiative cooling, based on selective infrared emissions through atmospheric transparency windows to outer space and the reflection of solar irradiance, is a zero-energy and environmentally friendly cooling technology. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun membranes have both selective mid-infrared emissions and effective sunlight reflection, [...] Read more.
Daytime radiative cooling, based on selective infrared emissions through atmospheric transparency windows to outer space and the reflection of solar irradiance, is a zero-energy and environmentally friendly cooling technology. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun membranes have both selective mid-infrared emissions and effective sunlight reflection, inducing excellent daytime radiative cooling performance. However, PEO is highly water soluble, which makes electrospun PEO membranes unable to cope with rainy conditions when used for outdoor daytime radiative cooling. Herein, we report an in situ UV-crosslinking strategy for preparing PEO electrospun membranes with water resistance for the application of daytime radiative cooling. Acrylate-terminated PEO was synthesized and mixed together with cross-linking agents and photoinitiators to prepare the electrospinning solution. During electrospinning, the nanofibers were irradiated with UV light to initiate the cross-linking. For a membrane with a thickness of 200 μm, the average solar reflectance was 89.6%, and the infrared emissivity (8–13 μm) was 96.3%. Although slight swelling happens to the cross-linked membrane once it comes into contact with water, the fibrous morphology shows no obvious change when prolonging the water soaking time, indicating excellent water resistance. The outdoor cooling performance test results showed that compared to the average temperature of the air in the test box, the average temperature drop in the membrane before and after water soaking was 13.8 °C and 11.5 °C, respectively. Crosslinked PEO-based electrospun membranes with both water resistance and radiative cooling performance may have real applications for outdoor daytime radiative cooling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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13 pages, 6569 KiB  
Article
Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia with Electrospun Hierarchical Carbon Nanofiber/TiO2@CoS Heterostructures
by Zhenjun Chang, Fuxing Jia, Xingyu Ji, Qian Li, Jingren Cui, Zhengzheng Liao and Xiaoling Sun
Molecules 2024, 29(24), 6025; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29246025 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 674
Abstract
As a sustainable alternative technology to the cost- and energy-intensive Haber–Bosch method, electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction offers direct conversion of N2 to NH3 under ambient conditions. Direct use of noble metals or non-noble metals as electrocatalytic materials results in [...] Read more.
As a sustainable alternative technology to the cost- and energy-intensive Haber–Bosch method, electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction offers direct conversion of N2 to NH3 under ambient conditions. Direct use of noble metals or non-noble metals as electrocatalytic materials results in unsatisfactory electrocatalytic properties because of their low electrical conductivity and stability. Herein, three-dimensional flexible carbon nanofiber (CNF/TiO2@CoS) nanostructures were prepared on the surface of CNF by using electrospinning, a hydrothermal method, and in situ growth. We investigated the behavior of CNFs/TiO2@CoS as an electrocatalytic material in 0.1 M sodium sulfate. The highest ammonia yield of the material was 4.61 × 10−11 mol s−1 cm−2 at −0.45 V vs. RHE, and the highest Faraday efficiency, as well as superior long-term durability, was 8.3% at −0.45 V vs. RHE. This study demonstrates the potential of firecracker-shaped nanofiber templates for loading varied noble metals or non-noble metals as a novel development of hybrid composites for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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15 pages, 7696 KiB  
Article
A Soothing Lavender-Scented Electrospun Fibrous Eye Mask
by Dandan Kang, Yichong Li, Xiaowen Dai, Zixiong Li, Kai Cheng, Wenliang Song and Deng-Guang Yu
Molecules 2024, 29(22), 5461; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225461 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1182
Abstract
Electrospinning technology has demonstrated extensive applications in biomedical engineering, energy storage, and environmental remediation. However, its utilization in the cosmetic industry remains relatively underexplored. To address the challenges associated with skin damage caused by preservatives and thickeners used for extending the shelf life [...] Read more.
Electrospinning technology has demonstrated extensive applications in biomedical engineering, energy storage, and environmental remediation. However, its utilization in the cosmetic industry remains relatively underexplored. To address the challenges associated with skin damage caused by preservatives and thickeners used for extending the shelf life of conventional products, a soothing lavender-scented electrospun fibrous eye mask with coaxial layers was developed using the electrospinning technique. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) served as the hydrophilic outer sheath, while polycaprolactone (PCL) constituted the hydrophobic core, with lavender oil (LO) encapsulated within. The structural and physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and contact angle measurements. Upon hydration, the fibrous membrane exhibited strong adhesion properties, notable antioxidant activity, and a degree of antibacterial efficacy, demonstrating its potential for safe and effective use in skincare and eye mask applications. These findings suggest that the developed electrospun material offers promising functional properties and functional properties for integration into cosmetic formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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13 pages, 6597 KiB  
Article
Batch Preparation and Performance Study of Boehmite-Based Electrospun Nanofiber Separators for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Wenfei Ding, Yuxing Liu and Lan Xu
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3938; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163938 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 904
Abstract
The design and preparation of high-performance separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have far-reaching practical significance in enhancing the overall performance of LIBs. Electrospun nanofiber separators (ENSs) have the characteristics of large specific surface area, high porosity, small pore size and good affinity with [...] Read more.
The design and preparation of high-performance separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have far-reaching practical significance in enhancing the overall performance of LIBs. Electrospun nanofiber separators (ENSs) have the characteristics of large specific surface area, high porosity, small pore size and good affinity with the electrolyte, making them become ideal candidates for LIB separators. In this work, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyurethane (PU) (PAU) ENSs loaded with boehmite (BM) particles (BM/PAU ENSs) were mass-produced using spherical section free surface electrospinning (SSFSE), and used as LIB separators. Their morphology, structures and performances were tested and characterized. The results showed that all BM/PAU ENSs maintained excellent thermal dimensional stability in the range of 140–180 °C, and had good electrolyte wettability and high porosity. The composite BM/PAU-2 ENS with the best performance had a porosity of 52.5%, an electrolyte uptake rate of 822.1%, and an ionic conductivity of 1.97 mS/cm. Additionally, the battery assembled with BM/PAU-2 separator also demonstrated best electrochemical performance, cycling performance, and rate capability, with a capacity retention rate of 94.4% after 80 cycles at 0.5 C, making it a promising high-performance separator for LIBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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13 pages, 6477 KiB  
Article
Microfiber/Nanofiber/Attapulgite Multilayer Separator with a Pore-Size Gradient for High-Performance and Safe Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Zichen Wang, Haipeng Ren, Bo Wang, Sijing Yang, Bin Wu, Yige Zhou, Heqin Li, Zhenzhen Wei and Yan Zhao
Molecules 2024, 29(14), 3277; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29143277 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1335
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have an extremely diverse application nowadays as an environmentally friendly and renewable new energy storage technology. The porous structure of the separator, one essential component of LIBs, provides an ion transport channel for the migration of ions and directly affects [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have an extremely diverse application nowadays as an environmentally friendly and renewable new energy storage technology. The porous structure of the separator, one essential component of LIBs, provides an ion transport channel for the migration of ions and directly affects the overall performance of the battery. In this work, we fabricated a composite separator (GOP-PH-ATP) via simply laminating an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) nanofibrous membrane coated with attapulgite (ATP) nanoparticles onto a PP nonwoven microfibrous fabric, which exhibits a unique porous structure with a pore-size gradient along the thickness direction that ranges from tens of microns to hundreds of nanometers. As a result, besides the enhanced thermal stability given by the chosen materials, the GOP-PH-ATP separator was endowed with a superhigh porosity of ~95%, strong affinity with electrolyte, and great electrolyte uptake of ~760%, thus effectively enabling an ionic conductivity of 2.38 mS cm−1 and a lithium-ion transference number of 0.62. Furthermore, the cell with the GOP-PH-ATP separator shows an excellent cycling performance with a capacity retention of 91.2% after 150 cycles at 1 C, suggesting that the composite separator with a pore-size gradient structure has great potential to be applied in LIBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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Review

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19 pages, 1061 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress in Photocatalytic Applications of Electrospun Nanofibers: A Review
by Aigerim Serik, Nurlan Idrissov, Aibol Baratov, Alexey Dikov, Sergey Kislitsin, Chingis Daulbayev and Zhengisbek Kuspanov
Molecules 2024, 29(20), 4824; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29204824 - 11 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Electrospun fiber-based photocatalysts demonstrate significant potential in addressing global environmental and energy challenges, primarily due to their high specific surface areas and unique properties. This review examines recent advances in the application of these materials in photocatalytic processes, with a particular focus on [...] Read more.
Electrospun fiber-based photocatalysts demonstrate significant potential in addressing global environmental and energy challenges, primarily due to their high specific surface areas and unique properties. This review examines recent advances in the application of these materials in photocatalytic processes, with a particular focus on water splitting and hydrogen production. The principles of the electrospun method are described in detail, along with the operating parameters, material characteristics, and environmental conditions that affect the fiber formation. Additionally, the review discusses the challenges, advantages, and future prospects of photocatalysts incorporating carbon materials, metals, semiconductors, and hybrid structures with improved performance. These materials have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of hydrogen energy production, water purification, and CO2 recovery, highlighting their importance in engineering sciences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Electrospun Nanofibers)
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