POLYMER FIBERS: PREPARATION AND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

One-dimensional continuous nanomaterials, particularly polymer nanofibers, have profoundly changed modern materials science. Their defining traits—high surface-area-to-volume ratios, interconnected pore structures, and mechanical resilience—make them highly versatile. Producing these fibrous matrices generally relies on either electrospinning or centrifugal spinning. Electrospinning forms ultrafine fibers through the application of electrostatic forces. However, scaling up this process is notoriously difficult, and overall mass throughput remains low. Centrifugal spinning addresses these production bottlenecks. By utilizing rapid centrifugal force, this method generates fibers much faster and completely eliminates the need for high-voltage power sources or electrically conductive solutions. In the biomedical field, these fibrous networks closely mimic the human extracellular matrix. This physical similarity, combined with adjustable degradation and drug release kinetics, makes them ideal for targeted drug delivery. They are especially effective when formulated as amorphous solid dispersions, which significantly boost the bioavailability of pharmaceuticals that dissolve poorly in water. Beyond medicine, optimizing the structural alignment and electroactive phases of poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibers yields highly sensitive piezoelectric sensors. Environmental engineering also benefits heavily from tailored fiber architectures. Highly hydrophobic elastomer microfibers capacity for absorbing oil during oil-water separation tasks. Meanwhile, electrospun membranes made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate effectively filter out fine airborne particles. Expanding the practical applications of functional nanomaterials across pharmaceutical, environmental, and electromechanical sectors will depend heavily on the continued refinement of these scalable spinning technologies.