Emerging applications of nanofibers electrospun from carbohydrate polymers

Abstract

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique that uses electrostatic forces to create fibers in the nano to micro range from a variety of materials, both synthetic and natural. Due to the high surface area to volume ratio, high porosity, and desirable mechanic characteristics of electrospun fibers, they are of current interest for a wide variety of applications. Some of the most significant applications of these fibers being researched include tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound dressings, environmental and energy applications, and protective materials. Notably, electrospun fibers may be specially tailored to better fit their final application through the direct loading of materials during the spinning process as well as by choosing the correct base material for the fiber. For example, it is desirable to use a biocompatible and biodegradable material in fibers desired for applications in the biomedical field; this way the fibers are able to safely interact with the human body. This review will explore the applications, as previously listed, with a focus on how fibers are made using carbohydrate polymers (such as alginate, cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan and chitin, starch, pullulan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, and levan) as their base material, and their applicability and functionality in various applications.