Search Results (336)

High-performance waterproof and breathable nanofiber membranes (WBNMs) are in great demand for various advanced applications. However, the fabrication of such membranes often relies on fluorinated materials or involves complex preparation processes, limiting their practical use. In this study, we present an innovative approach by utilizing silicon-containing polyurethane (SiPU) as a single-component, fluorine-free raw material to prepare high-performance WBNMs via a simple one-step electrospinning process. The electrospinning technique enables the formation of SiPU nanofibrous membranes with a small maximum pore size (d_max) and high porosity, while the intrinsic hydrophobicity of SiPU imparts excellent water-repellent characteristics to the membranes. As a result, the single-component SiPU WBNM exhibits superior waterproofness and breathability, with a hydrostatic pressure of 52 kPa and a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 5798 g m⁻² d⁻¹. Moreover, the optimized SiPU-14 WBNM demonstrates outstanding mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 6.15 MPa and an elongation at break of 98.80%. These findings indicate that the single-component SiPU-14 WBNMs not only achieve excellent waterproof and breathable performance but also possess robust mechanical strength, thereby enhancing the comfort and expanding the potential applications of protective textiles, such as outdoor apparel and car seats. Full article

Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic nanofibrous or microfibrous membranes are regarded as ideal oil/water separation materials owing to their controllable porosity, superior separation efficiency, and ease of operation. However, developing efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly strategies for fabricating such membranes remains a significant challenge. In this study, isotactic polypropylene (iPP) fibrous membranes with morphologies ranging from ellipsoidal stacking to microfiber stacking were successfully fabricated via a multistage stretching extrusion and leaching process using in situ microfibrillar composites (MFCs). The results establish a significant relationship between microfiber morphology and membrane oil adsorption performance. Compared with membranes formed from high-aspect-ratio microfibers, those comprising short microfibers feature larger pores and a more open structure, which enhances their oil adsorption capacity. Among the fabricated membranes, the iPP membrane with an ellipsoidal stacking morphology exhibits optimal performance, achieving a porosity of 65% and demonstrating both hydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, with a silicone oil adsorption capacity of up to 312.5%. Furthermore, this membrane shows excellent reusability and stability over ten adsorption–desorption cycles using chloroform. This study presents a novel approach leveraging in situ microfibrillar composites to prepare high-performance oil/water separation membranes in this study, underscoring their considerable promise for practical use. Full article

Developing efficient and durable anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) is essential for advancing electrochemical energy technologies such as water electrolyzers. This study presents a methodological approach for fabricating an AEM by electrospinning a polysulfone (PSU)-based nanofibrous matrix, followed by post-activation using an ionomer solution containing quaternary ammonium (QA) functional groups. Electrospinning is a promising and versatile technique for membrane fabrication, particularly in the context of green hydrogen production via AEM water electrolysis. Its ability to produce nanofibrous matrixes with tunable morphology and properties makes it an attractive alternative to conventional methods for research across various applications. This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating electrospun AEMs using polysulfone as a backbone material, suggesting its promise as a potentially scalable solution to manage the high-cost issue of commercial AEMs for future hydrogen production. The resulting composite membrane exhibited ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance comparable to a benchmark membrane fabricated by activating a commercial Celgard 3401 support via phase inversion. Although the mechanical strength of the electrospun membrane was lower than that of the commercial support, its good electrochemical characteristics—combined with the potential for roll-to-roll electrospinning—underscore the promise of this approach as a viable, economically scalable strategy for future hydrogen production WE technologies. Full article

A nanostructured sensing platform was developed by integrating gold-decorated lignin nanoparticles (AuLNPs) into electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibre mats. The composite material combines the high surface-to-volume ratio of PLA nanofibres with the chemical functionality of lignin—a polyphenolic biopolymer rich in hydroxyl and aromatic groups—enabling selective interactions with volatile amines through hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces. The embedded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) further enhance the sensor’s electrical conductivity and provide catalytic sites for improved analyte interaction. The sensor exhibited selective adsorption of amine vapours, showing particularly strong affinity for dimethylamine (DMA), with a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 440 ppb. Relative humidity (RH) was found to significantly influence sensor performance by facilitating amine protonation, thus promoting interaction with the sensing surface. The developed sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility, highlighting its potential for real-time detection of amines in environmental monitoring, industrial safety and healthcare diagnostics. Full article

Carbon nanofibrous materials from electrospinning are good candidate electrode materials for supercapacitor applications due to their straightforward processability, chemical stability, high porosity, and large surface area. In this research, a straightforward and effective way was revealed to significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of carbon nanofibrous electrode material from electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Fluorination of the electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNF) was studied by comparing two types of hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment, i.e., direct HF acid treatment on ECNF (Type I) vs. HF acid treatment on the stabilized PAN (Type II) followed by carbonization. The latter was found to be an advantageous way to introduce C-F bonds in the resultant carbon nanofibrous electrode material that contributed to pseudocapacitance. Furthermore, the Type II HF acid treatment demonstrated exciting synergistic effects with ECNF aerogel formation on carbon structure and porosity development and generated a superior fluorinated electrospun carbon nanofibrous aerogel (ECNA-F) electrode material for supercapacitor uses. The resultant ECNA-F electrode material demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance with great cyclic stability due to the large improvements in both pseudocapacitance and electrical double-layer capacitance. ECNA-F achieved a specific capacitance of 372 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g with 1 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte, and the device with ECNA-F and 1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte possessed an energy density of 29.1 Wh/kg at a power density of 275 W/kg. This study provided insight into developing high-performance and stable carbon nanofibrous electrode materials for supercapacitors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Polymeric nanofibers are promising platforms for skin treatment applications due to their large surface area and high porosity, which promote enhanced drug delivery. This study aimed to develop and compare poly(lactic acid)-based (PLA) nanofibrous mats, using linear PLA and a star-like PLA-pentaerythritol (PLA-PE) copolymer, as carriers for transdermal delivery of the antibacterial agent levofloxacin (LEV). Methods: Electrospinning was employed to fabricate nanofibers from PLA and PLA-PE solutions. Spinning parameters and polymer concentrations (10% w/v PLA and 20% w/v PLA-PE) were optimized to produce uniform fibers. LEV was loaded at 10% and 20% w/w. A sum of complementary characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were applied to comparatively investigate the fibers’ morphology, structural properties, and crystallinity. Drug loading, porosity, degradation, and in vitro release profiles were evaluated. Results: PLA-PE nanofibers demonstrated smaller diameters and higher porosity (up to 90.1%) compared to PLA (82.4%), leading to enhanced drug loading (up to 34.78%) and faster degradation (55% vs. 43% mass loss over 60 days). Drug release exhibited a biphasic profile with an initial burst followed by sustained release. PLA-PE formulations released up to 60.2% LEV, compared to 38.1% for PLA counterparts. Conclusions: The star-like PLA-PE copolymer enhances nanofiber properties relevant to the desired application, including porosity, degradation rate, and drug release. These findings suggest that PLA-PE is a promising material for developing advanced transdermal antibiotic delivery systems. Full article

This study is concerned with the research and development of nanofibrous hybrid materials functioning as membranes composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer and enriched with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as dopants for the adsorption and detection of gases, dyes, and heavy metals in wastewater. Several types of nanofiber composites are fabricated by electrostatic spinning. The prepared samples and their chemical, optical, and material properties are analyzed. Subsequently, the preliminary investigation of dye removal is conducted. Accordingly, the design and investigation of these nanofibrous structures may contribute to addressing critical environmental and technological challenges. Full article

A 6-carbon short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), GenX, also known as hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and its ammonium salt, has been manufactured in recent years as a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a traditional long-chain PFAS, due to the increasing environmental regulation of PFAS compounds in recent years. GenX has received significant attention because of the fact that it is more toxic than people originally thought, and it is now one of the six PFAS compounds that are placed under legally enforceable restrictions in drinking water, i.e., 10 ppt, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). In this research, we extended the use of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers from electrospinning for GenX removal from water by coating them with polyaniline (PANI) through in situ polymerization. The obtained PANI-coated electrospun PAN nanofibrous adsorbent (PANI-ESPAN) demonstrated excellent GenX adsorption capability and could remove nearly all GenX (>98%) from a 100 ppb aqueous solution. This research provided valuable insights into short-chain PFAS remediation from water by designing and developing high-performance adsorbent materials. Full article

Bio-based polyurethane (BPU) offers excellent biocompatibility and outstanding elasticity, providing vast potential for the development of next-generation waterproof and breathable materials. However, achieving stable and uniform electrospinning of BPU remains a significant challenge. Herein, BPU with superior electrospinning performance was synthesized using poly(butylene sebacate), poly(trimethylene ether glycol), ethylene glycol, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) as raw materials. BPU nanofibrous membranes were successfully fabricated using solutions of varying concentrations (12 wt%, 16 wt%, 20 wt%, and 24 wt%), and their morphology, mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and breathability were systematically analyzed. The nanofibrous membrane prepared with 20 wt% BPU solution exhibited optimal fiber morphology and mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 15.6 MPa and an elongation at break of 440.8%. In contrast, lower concentrations (12 wt% and 16 wt%) resulted in insufficient fiber formation, leading to poorer performance, while higher concentrations (24 wt%) significantly reduced fiber uniformity, negatively impacting the overall performance. Additionally, the nanofibrous membrane produced from the 20 wt% BPU solution demonstrated significant hydrophobicity and breathability, with a water contact angle of 133.2°, hydrostatic pressure of 48.2 kPa, and breathability of 12.6 kg·m²·d⁻¹. These findings suggest that BPU nanofibrous membranes produced via electrospinning hold great potential for application in functional textiles. Full article

Osteoporosis, a chronic bone disorder, poses a global threat to the health of millions of individuals. The disruption of bone homeostasis is the fundamental cause of osteoporosis. Currently, clinical drugs are employed to promote bone formation via enhancing osteogenesis and/or reduce bone loss via inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. However, it is difficult for the current drugs to simultaneously address the osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis issues associated with osteoporosis. Hence, L/D-phenylalanine derivatives (L/DPF), combined with Mg²⁺ ions, are employed to assemble into chiral supramolecular hydrogels which facilitate osteocyte activity and inhibit osteoclast function. LPF_Mg hydrogels and DPF_Mg hydrogels demonstrate the opposite supramolecular chirality. Specifically, LPF_Mg hydrogels and DPF_Mg hydrogels are composed of left-handed (M-type) helical nanofibers and right-handed (P-type) helical nanofibers, respectively. The hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions are crucial in the process of hydrogel formation. The chiral left-handed nanofibrous DPF_Mg hydrogels significantly promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3 cells and inhibit osteoclast differentiation of RAW267.4 cells, thereby demonstrating substantial potential for applications in improving skeletal health. These findings provide a promising novel perspective on the application of chiral functional materials for osteoporosis therapy. Full article

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer has unlocked new frontiers in the field of nanotechnology and is suitable for a wide range of applications. However, its optical band gap limits its use in optoelectronics. This study aims to ascertain the influence of varying montmorillonite and magnetite ratios on the optical properties of electrospun PMMA nanofibres produced from solution. The nanofibres were characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), spectroscopic ellipsometry, and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD analysis revealed the successful incorporation of magnetite and montmorillonite within the PMMA matrix, with diameters ranging from 203 to 328 nm. The incorporation of magnetite and montmorillonite altered the light absorption characteristics of PMMA, resulting in increased absorption in the ultraviolet and visible light regions compared to pristine PMMA and a reduction in the optical band gap from 4.9 eV to 2.5 eV. These findings suggest that PMMA is a suitable host matrix for montmorillonite and magnetite. The observed properties also indicate the suitability of the produced materials for optoelectronic applications, including chemical sensors and protective UV coatings. Full article

Nanofibrous dressing materials with an antitumor function can potentially inhibit recurrence of melanoma following the surgical excision of skin tumors. In this study, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (hPAN) nanofibers biofunctionalized with L-carnosine (CAR) and loaded with bio (CAR)-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, ZnO/CAR-hPAN (hereafter called ZCPAN), were employed to develop an antimelanoma wound dressing. Inspired by the formulation of the commercial wound healing Zn-CAR complex, i.e., polaprezinc (PLZ), for the first time, we benefitted from the synergy of zinc and CAR to create an antimelanoma nanofibrous wound dressing. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, ultrafine ZnO nanoparticles were homogenously distributed throughout the nanofibrous dressing. The ZCPAN nanofiber mat showed a significantly higher toughness (18.7 MJ.m⁻³ vs. 1.4 MJ.m⁻³) and an enhanced elongation at break (stretchability) compared to the neat PAN nanofiber mat (12% vs. 9.5%). Additionally, optical coherence elastography (OCE) measurements indicated that the ZCPAN nanofibrous dressing was as stiff as 50.57 ± 8.17 kPa which is notably larger than that of the PAN nanofibrous dressing, i.e., 24.49 ± 6.83 kPa. The optimum mechanical performance of the ZCPAN nanofibers originates from physicochemical interaction of CAR ligands, hPAN nanofibers, and ZnO nanoparticles through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic bonding, and esterification, as verified using ATR-FTIR. An in vitro cell viability assay using human skin melanoma cells implied that the cells are notably killed in the presence of the ZCPAN nanofibers compared to the PAN nanofibers. Thanks to ROS generating ZnO nanoparticles, this behavior originates from the high reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage of melanoma cells, as verified through a CellROX assay. In this regard, an apoptotic cell response to the ZCPAN nanofibers was recorded through an apoptosis assay. Taken together, the ZCPAN nanofibers induce an antimelanoma effect through oxidative stress and thus are a high potential wound dressing material to suppress melanoma regrowth after surgical excision of skin tumors. Full article

Background: Traditional root canal therapy (RCT) effectively removes diseased or necrotic pulp tissue and replaces it with inorganic materials. Regenerative endodontics is an alternative to conventional RCT by using biologically based approaches to restore the pulp–dentin complex. This review explores emerging techniques, including autogenic and allogenic pulp transplantation, platelet-rich fibrin, human amniotic membrane scaffolds, specialized pro-resolving mediators, nanofibrous and bioceramic scaffolds, injectable hydrogels, dentin matrix proteins, and cell-homing strategies. These methods utilize stem cells, growth factors, and biomaterials to regenerate vascularized, functional pulp tissue. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies published between 2010 and 2023. In vitro, animal, and clinical studies focusing on innovative regenerative endodontic techniques were analyzed. Conclusions: Although regenerative endodontics demonstrates great potential, challenges remain in standardizing protocols, addressing biological variability, and achieving consistent clinical outcomes. Future research must focus on refining these techniques to ensure their safety, efficacy, and accessibility in routine practice. By addressing current limitations, regenerative endodontics could redefine the management of pulpitis, offering biologically based treatments that enhance tooth vitality, structural integrity, and long-term prognosis. Full article

The aim of this project is to fabricate fiber mats and hydrogel materials that constitute the two main components of a wound dressing material. The contributions of boric acid (BA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) to the physical and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) is investigated. These materials are chosen for their antimicrobial and antifungal effects. Additionally, since chitosan forms brittle hydrogels, it is reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to improve ductility and water uptake properties. For these purposes, PCL, BA, ZnO, PVA, and chitosan are used in different ratios to fabricate nanofiber mats and hydrogels. Mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics are examined. The highest elastic modulus and tensile strength are obtained from samples with 6% BA and 10% ZnO concentrations. ZnO-decorated fibers exhibit a higher elastic modulus than those with BA, though BA-containing fibers exhibit greater elongation before breakage. All fibers exhibit hydrophobic properties, which help to prevent biofilm formation. In compression tests, CS12 demonstrates the highest strength. Increasing the PVA content enhances ductility, while a higher concentration of chitosan results in a denser structure. This outcome is confirmed by FTIR and swelling tests. These findings highlight the optimal combinations of nanofibrous mats and hydrogels, offering guidance for future wound dressing designs that balance mechanical strength, water absorption, and antimicrobial properties. By stacking these nanofibrous mats and hydrogels in different orders, it is expected to achieve a wound care material that is suitable for various applications. The authors encourage experimentation with different configurations of these nanofiber and hydrogel stackings to observe their mechanical behavior under real-life conditions in future studies. Full article

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death and serious illness in Europe and worldwide. Conventional treatment—replacing the damaged blood vessel with an autologous graft—is not always affordable for the patient, so alternative approaches are being sought. One such approach is patient-specific tissue bioprinting, which allows for precise distribution of cells, material, and biochemical signals. With further developmental support, a functional replacement tissue or vessel can be created. This review provides an overview of the current state of bioprinting for vascular graft manufacturing and summarizes the hydrogels used as bioinks, the material of carriers, and the current methods of fabrication used, especially for vessels smaller than 6 mm, which are the most challenging for cardiovascular replacements. The fabrication methods are divided into several sections—self-supporting grafts based on simple 3D bioprinting and bioprinting of bioinks on scaffolds made of decellularized or nanofibrous material. Full article