Discover new and emerging applications of polymer nanofibers alongside the basic underlying science and technology. With discussions exploring such practical applications as filters, fabrics, sensors, catalysts, scaffolding, drug delivery, and wound dressings, the book provides polymer scientists and engineers with a comprehensive, practical "how-to" reference. Moreover, the author offers an expert assessment of polymer nanofibers' near-term potential for commercialization. Among the highlights of coverage is the book's presentation of the science and technology of electrospinning, including practical information on how to electrospin different polymer systems.

Discussing the electrospinning process, the book covers in great depth the current research interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology, especially electrospinning of polymer nanofibers. The main distinction of the proposed book from others devoted to the electrospinning process is in the consideration of the problem in question from the physical point of view. Focusing on physical aspects, the book contains physical basics regarding the unique features of electrospun polymer nanofibers and the electrospinning resulting in fabrication of these nanofibers.

Research into polymer nanofibers has increased significantly over the last decade, prompting the need for a comprehensive monograph examining the subject as knowledge of their properties and potential applications has increased. Postgraduate students and researchers new to the field will benefit from the "from materials to applications" approach to the book, which examines the physio-chemical properties in detail, demonstrating how they can be exploited for a diverse range of applications, including the production of light and wound dressings. Techniques for the fabrication, notably electrospinning, are discussed at length. This book provides a unique and accessible source of information, summarising the last decade of the field and presenting an entry point for those entering the field and an inspiration to established workers. The author is currently the national coordinator for several research projects examining the applications of polymer nanofibers, alongside active international collaborations.

Conjugated polymer composites with high dielectric constants are being developed by the electronics industry in response to the need for power-grounded decoupling to secure the integrity of high-speed signals and to reduce electromagnetic interference. Electrically conducting polymers are materials that simultaneously possess the physical and chemical properties of organic polymers and the electronic characteristics of metals. Multifunctional micro- and nanostructures of conjugated polymers, such as of pyrrole, have received great attention in recent years because they can polymerize easily and have high conductivity and good thermal stability. They, however, have some disadvantages such as brittleness and hard processability, which can be overcome by developing their nanocomposites. Nanofiber materials with different dielectric properties can be made from conjugated polymer composites and used in the electronics industry, in sensors and batteries, for electrical stimulation to enhance nerve-regeneration process, and for constructing scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering. Electrospinning is a versatile technique that is used to produce ultrathin continuous fibers with high surface-to-volume and aspect ratios from a variety of materials, including polymers, composites, and ceramics. Conductive materials in fibrillar shape may be advantageous compared with films because of their inherent properties such as anisotropy, high surface area, and mechanical strength. They are of particular interest in electroactive composites as they can be efficiently distributed in an insulating polymer matrix to improve both electrical and mechanical properties. Combination of electrical properties with good mechanical performance is of particular interest in electroactive polymer technology. This book covers the general aspects of electrospinning and discusses the fundamental concepts that can be used to produce nanofibers with the help of mathematical models and equations. It also details the methods through which different polymeric structures can be included in conjugated polymers during electrospinning to form composites or blends of conjugated polymer nanofibers.

In recent times, polymer nanocomposites have attracted a great deal of scientific interest due to their unique advantages over conventional plastic materials, such as superior strength, modulus, thermal stability, thermal and electrical conductivity, and gas barrier. They are finding real and fast-growing applications in wide-ranging fields such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, packaging, and sports. This book focuses on the development of polymer nanocomposites as an advanced material for textile applications, such as fibers, coatings, and nanofibers. It compiles and details cutting-edge research in the science and nanotechnology of textiles with special reference to polymer nanocomposites in the form of invited chapters from scientists and subject experts from various institutes from all over the world. They include authors who are actively involved in the research and development of polymer nanocomposites with a wide range of functions—including antimicrobial, flame-retardant, gas barrier, shape memory, sensor, and energy-scavenging—as well as medical applications, such as tissue engineering and wound dressings, to create a new range of smart and intelligent textiles. Edited by Mangala Joshi, a prominent nanotechnology researcher at the premier Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, this book will appeal to anyone involved in nanotechnology, nanocomposites, advanced materials, polymers, fibers and textiles, and technical textiles.

Electrospun Nanofibers covers advances in the electrospinning process including characterization, testing and modeling of electrospun nanofibers, and electrospinning for particular fiber types and applications. Electrospun Nanofibers offers systematic and comprehensive coverage for academic researchers, industry professionals, and postgraduate students working in the field of fiber science. Electrospinning is the most commercially successful process for the production of nanofibers and rising demand is driving research and development in this field. Rapid progress is being made both in terms of the electrospinning process and in the production of nanofibers with superior chemical and physical properties. Electrospinning is becoming more efficient and more specialized in order to produce particular fiber types such as bicomponent and composite fibers, patterned and 3D nanofibers, carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, and nanofibers derived from chitosan. - Provides systematic and comprehensive coverage of the manufacture, properties, and applications of nanofibers - Covers recent developments in nanofibers materials including electrospinning of bicomponent, chitosan, carbon, and conductive fibers - Brings together expertise from academia and industry to provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on nanofiber research and development - Offers systematic and comprehensive coverage for academic researchers, industry professionals, and postgraduate students working in the field of fiber science

Due to their one-dimensional structures and novel physical properties, nanofibrous materials have been extensively investigated and hold promising applications in various fields, including electronic, optical, semiconductors, sensors, polymer fillers and non-woven porous membranes. This book presents current research in the study of the synthesis, properties and application of nanofibres. Topics include the functionalisation and activation of carbon nanofibres; fabrication of aligned polymer and metal oxide nanofibres by electrospinning; inorganic nanofibres for novel separation membranes; the physics behind the vapor-liquid-solid route and carbon nanofibre formation; preparation and modification of chitin nanofibres; and the synthesis of composite carbon nanofibres with macroscopic shaping.

Presenting the latest coverage of the fundamentals and applications of nanofibrous materials and their structures for graduate students and researchers, this book bridges the communication gap between fiber technologists and materials scientists and engineers. Featuring intensive coverage of electroactive, bioactive and structural nanofibers, it provides a comprehensive collection of processing conditions for electrospinning and includes recent advances in nanoparticle-/nanotube-based nanofibers. The book also covers mechanical properties of fibers and fibrous assemblies, as well as characterization methods.

Artificial Protein and Peptide Nanofibers: Design, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications provides comprehensive knowledge of the preparation, modification and applications of protein and peptide nanofibers. The book reviews the synthesis and strategies necessary to create protein and peptide nanofibers, such as self-assembly (including supramolecular assembly), electrospinning, template synthesis, and enzymatic synthesis. Then, the key chemical modification and molecular design methods are highlighted that can be utilized to improve the bio-functions of these synthetic fibers. Finally, fabrication methods for key applications, such as sensing, drug delivery, imaging, tissue engineering and electronic devices are reviewed. This book will be an ideal resource for those working in materials science, polymer science, chemical engineering, nanotechnology and biomedicine. - Reviews key chemical modification and molecular design methods to improve the bio-functions of synthetic peptide and protein nanofibers - Discusses the most important synthesis strategies, including supramolecular assembly, electrospinning, template synthesis and enzymatic synthesis - Provides information on fabrication of nanofibers for key applications such as sensing, imaging, drug delivery and tissue engineering

Polymeric Nanofibers will showcase recent developments in the production, characterization, and emerging use of nanofibers made from different polymers for a variety of purposes. Although it has been difficult to produce polymer fibers in the laboratory, electrospinning now makes it easier. Electrospinning, an electrohydrodynamical process for making thin polymer fibers with diameters in the range from around one nanometer to several thousands of nanometers, is simple and cost effective. Interest in other specialized routes to polymer nanofibers, including chemical synthesis, conventional textile fiber spinning, gas blowing, and other methods has been stimulated by the recent progress in electrospinning. Scientists and engineers in fields such as filtration, biomaterials, biomedical devices, chemical analysis, catalysis, aerospace, fiber reinforced composites, energy conversion, protective clothing, agriculture, and others can produce experimental quantities of nanofibers in their own laboratories, from a wide variety of polymers of interest to them. The number of papers and patents in electrospinning has grown at a rapid rate during the past decade, more than doubling each year since 1999.