PVA Nanofibers by Solution Blow Spinning: Processing Principles, Challenges, and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers have emerged as versatile materials in biomedical science due to the high surface-to-volume ratio enabled by nanofibrous morphologies, together with their biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, low toxicity, water solubility, and ease of chemical modification. Solution blow spinning (SBS) provides an alternative route for producing PVA-based nanofibers and is particularly relevant for PVA because the polymer is commonly processed from aqueous solutions. This review critically examines the fabrication of PVA nanofibers by SBS within the broader framework established for PVA hydrogels and electrospun PVA nanofibers, emphasizing how aqueous processing conditions govern fiber formation and morphology and how these features translate into mechanical performance and functional behavior tailored to biomedical applications. Applications in wound dressings, drug-delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and biosensors are discussed, highlighting the role of the fillers/additives in modulating biological responses and drug release behavior. Key challenges remain, including water sensitivity and PVA solubility, crosslinking approaches compatible with bioactive payloads, and limitations in mechanical robustness for certain load-bearing applications. Finally, future perspectives on scale-up and eco-friendly PVA nanofibers are outlined to support translation of SBS-derived PVA nanofibers toward clinical applications. Overall, this work positions SBS as a promising route to complement established nanofiber fabrication methods and support the sustainable integration of PVA nanofibers into next-generation biomedical solutions, while providing broader insights into the processing of aqueous polymer systems by SBS.