Ferroelectric and Non-Linear Optical Nanofibers by Electrospinning: From Inorganics to Molecular Crystals

In recent decades, substantial progress has been made in embedding molecules, nanocrystals, and nanograins into nanofibers, resulting in a new class of hybrid functional materials with exceptional physical properties. Among these materials, functional nanofibers exhibiting ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, multiferroic, and nonlinear optical characteristics have attracted considerable attention and undergone substantial improvements. This review critically examines these developments, focusing on strategies for incorporating diverse compounds into nanofibers and their impact on enhancing their physical properties, particularly ferroelectric behavior and nonlinear optical conversion. These developments have transformative potential across electronics, photonics, biomaterials, and energy harvesting. By synthesizing recent advancements in the design and application of nanofiber-embedded materials, this review seeks to highlight their potential impact on scientific research, technological innovation, and the development of next-generation devices.

Lipase B from Candida antarctica immobilized on amphiphilic Janus halloysite nanosheet and application in biphasic interface conversion

Lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) plays a prominent role as a biocatalyst in several industries, especially for biphasic conversion of functional lipids. Herein, an amphiphilic Janus halloysite nanosheet (JHNS) was fabricated and employed simultaneously as a solid surfactant for stabilizing Pickering emulsion and as a carrier for immobilizing CALB, with the aim to realize highly efficient biphasic bioconversion. The obtained JHNS could stabilize Pickering emulsion for at least 7 days. Immobilization of CALB on JHNS improved the substrate affinity, catalytic efficiency, thermal stability, and alkaline tolerance of the enzyme. Moreover, JHNS-based immobilized CALB was exploited as a biocatalytic platform for the conversion of retinyl acetate, with almost twice increase in conversion efficiency. Taken together, the JHNS-based immobilized CALB paves the way for the design of efficient biphasic conversion system for the production of added-value lipids.

Water-Mediated Conversion of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles into BaCO3 Nanorods in Electrospun Polymer Fibers: Implications for Carbon Capture Applications

Under ambient conditions and in aqueous environments, transformations of nanoparticle-based ferroelectric components can raise important stability issues that are relevant for applications as multilayer capacitors, flexible piezoelectrics, or biomedical devices. We show that X-ray amorphous BaTiO3 nanoparticles that were grown by flame spray pyrolysis and which can be incorporated into electrospun polymer fibers undergo incongruent Ba2+ dissolution in the presence of water. At pH > 5 and in contact with air, corresponding Ba solutes spontaneously convert into crystalline BaCO3 needles to produce characteristic nano- and microstructures. We compared the reactivity of amorphous BaTiO3 nanoparticle powders with those of nanocrystals after annealing-induced crystallization. The stability of aqueous nanoparticle-polymer formulations, which are typically part of nanoparticle encapsulation in polymers and electrospinning, was included in this analysis. Nanoparticle size, crystallinity, surface area, the presence of carbonaceous surface contaminants, and the effect of surface passivation with polymers are addressed to underline the critical role of condensed water during the synthesis, storage, and processing of BaTiO3 nanoparticle-based composites.

Temperature and pH Responsive Janus Silica Nanoplates Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process and Postmodification

During the process of emulsifying and hydrolyzing, reactive poly(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene (PTEPM-b-PS) diblock copolymers can self-assemble and become cross-linked to form hollow spheres in situ with polystyrene on their inner surfaces. The addition of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), which was hydrolyzed and condensed together with PTEPM block, can make those spheres as soft foldable capsules or hard hollow spheres depending on the amount of added TESO. Then postmodification, the surface-initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) was applied to afford stimuli-responsive spheres, and the corresponding responsive Janus nanoplates (RJPs) were finally obtained by crushing those responsive hollow spheres (HSs) showing smart tunable emulsifiability and great potential in oily water purification. This facile method to fabricate HSs and RJPs could be used for preparing different Janus polymer-inorganic capsules and nanoplates with varied functions by changing the chemical composition of copolymer surfactants as well as the postmodification process.

Magnetic field sensors using arrays of electrospun magnetoelectric Janus nanowires

The fabrication and characterization of the first magnetoelectric sensors utilizing arrays of Janus magnetoelectric composite nanowires composed of barium titanate and cobalt ferrite are presented. By utilizing magnetoelectric nanowires suspended across electrodes above the substrate, substrate clamping is reduced when compared to layered thin-film architectures; this results in enhanced magnetoelectric coupling. Janus magnetoelectric nanowires are fabricated by sol-gel electrospinning, and their length is controlled through the electrospinning and calcination conditions. Using a directed nanomanufacturing approach, the nanowires are then assembled onto pre-patterned metal electrodes on a silicon substrate using dielectrophoresis. Using this process, functional magnetic field sensors are formed by connecting many nanowires in parallel. The observed magnetic field sensitivity from the parallel array of nanowires is 0.514 ± .027 mV Oe^-1 at 1 kHz, which translates to a magnetoelectric coefficient of 514 ± 27 mV cm^-1 Oe^-1.

Guide column array: a versatile approach to aligning and patterning ceramic nanofibers

Ceramic fibers have been manufactured via electrospinning for a variety of applications, including microelectronics, gas sensing, and memory systems. Preferentially ordering ceramic fibers as uniaxially aligned mats, as layered arrays, or as patterned structures has enormous potential to enhance current applications and add utility to electrospun ceramic fibers. Here, we developed a versatile guide column array-based method for manufacturing uniaxially aligned and patterned arrays of ceramic fibers. The guide column array was designed to control the electrospinning jet via electrostatic interactions between the electrified jet and the electrodes, resulting in fibers that preferentially oriented during deposition. A relationship between the ceramic precursor solution conductivity was correlated to the optimal operating voltage for the realization of aligned ceramic nanofibers using the guide column array.

Unconventional Janus Properties of Enokitake-like Gold Nanowire Films

We report on unconventional Janus material properties of vertically aligned gold nanowire films that conduct electricity and interact with light and water in drastically different ways on its two opposing sides. These Janus-like properties originate from enokitake-like nanowire structures, causing the nanoparticle side ("head") to behave like bulk gold, yet the opposing nanowire side ("tail") behaves as discontinuous nanophases. Due to this Janus film structure, its head side is hydrophilic but its tail side is hydrophobic; its head side reflects light like bulk gold, yet its tail side is a broadband superabsorber; its tail side is less conductive but with tunable resistance. More importantly, the elastomer-bonded Janus film exhibits unusual mechatronic properties when being stretched, bent, and pressed. The tail-bonded elastomeric sheet can be stretched up to ∼800% strain while remaining conductive, which is about 10-fold that of head-bonded film. In addition, it is also more sensitive to bending forces and point loads than the corresponding tail-bonded film. We further demonstrate the versatility of nanowire-based Janus films for pressure sensors using bilayer structures in three different assembly layouts.

Electrospun amorphous solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drugs: A review

The development of oral dosage forms for poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a persistent challenge. A range of methods has been explored to address this issue, and amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have received increasing attention. ASDs are typically prepared by starting with a liquid precursor (a solution or melt) and applying energy for solidification. Many techniques can be used, with the emergence of electrospinning as a potent option in recent years. This method uses electrical energy to induce changes from liquid to solid. Through the direct applications of electrical energy, electrospinning can generate nanofiber-based ASDs from drug-loaded solutions, melts and melt-solutions. The technique can also be combined with other approaches using the application of mechanical, thermal or other energy sources. Electrospinning has numerous advantages over other approaches to produce ASDs. These advantages include extremely rapid drying speeds, ease of implentation, compatibility with a wide range of active ingredients (including those which are thermally labile), and the generation of products with large surface areas and high porosity. Furthermore, this technique exhibits the potential to create so-called 'fifth-generation' ASDs with nanostructured architectures, such as core/shell or Janus systems and their combinations. These advanced systems can improve dissolution behaviour and provide programmable drug release profiles. Additionally, the fiber components and their spatial distributions can be precisely controlled. Electrospun fiber-based ASDs can maintain an incorporated active ingredient in the amorphous physical form for prolonged periods of time because of their homogeneous drug distribution within the polymer matrix (typically they comprise solid solutions), and ability to inhibit molecular motion. These ASDs can be utilised to generate oral dosage forms for poorly water-soluble drugs, resulting in linear or multiple-phase release of one or more APIs. Electrospun ASDs can also be exploited as templates for manipulating molecular self-assembly, offering a bridge between ASDs and other types of dosage forms. This review addresses the development, advantages and pharmaceutical applications of electrospinning for producing polymeric ASDs. Material preparation and analysis procedures are considered. The mechanisms through which performance has been improved are also discussed.

Electrosprayed Janus Particles for Combined Photo-Chemotherapy

This work is a proof of concept study establishing the potential of electrosprayed Janus particles for combined photodynamic therapy-chemotherapy. Sub-micron-sized particles of polyvinylpyrrolidone containing either an anti-cancer drug (carmofur) or a photosensitiser (rose bengal; RB), and Janus particles containing both in separate compartments were prepared. The functional components were present in the amorphous form in all the particles, and infrared spectroscopy indicated that intermolecular interactions formed between the different species. In vitro drug release studies showed that both carmofur and RB were released at approximately the same rate, with dissolution complete after around 250 min. Cytotoxicity studies were undertaken on model human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and lung cancer (A549) cells, and the influence of light on cell death explored. Formulations containing carmofur as the sole active ingredient were highly toxic to both cell lines, with or without a light treatment. The RB formulations were non-toxic to HDF when no light was applied, and with photo-treatment caused large amounts of cell death for both A549 and HDF cells. The Janus formulation containing both RB and carmofur was non-toxic to HDF without light, and only slightly toxic with the photo-treatment. In contrast, it was hugely toxic to A549 cells when light was applied. The Janus particles are thus highly selective for cancer cells, and it is hence proposed that such electrosprayed particles containing both a chemotherapeutic agent and photosensitiser have great potential in combined chemotherapy/photodynamic therapy.

Novel PAN/PVP Janus ultrafine fiber membrane and its application for biphasic drug release

Materials with Janus structures have attracted significant attention in recent years.

An electrospun flexible Janus nanoribbon array endowed with simultaneously tuned trifunctionality of electrically conductive anisotropy, photoluminescence and magnetism

A flexible Janus nanoribbon array endowed with simultaneously tuned trifunctionality of electrically conductive anisotropy, photoluminescence, and magnetism was fabricated by electrospinning.

High-quality Janus nanofibers prepared using three-fluid electrospinning

A new structured spinneret has been developed; this permits the fabrication of high quality Janus nanofibers using a three-fluid electrospinning process.

Medicated Janus fibers fabricated using a Teflon-coated side-by-side spinneret

A family of medicated Janus fibers that provides highly tunable biphasic drug release was fabricated using a side-by-side electrospinning process employing a Teflon-coated parallel spinneret. The coated spinneret facilitated the formation of a Janus Taylor cone and in turn high quality integrated Janus structures, which could not be reliably obtained without the Teflon coating. The fibers prepared had one side consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K60 and ketoprofen, and the other of ethyl cellulose (EC) and ketoprofen. To modulate and tune drug release, PVP K10 was doped into the EC side in some cases. The fibers were linear and had flat morphologies with an indent in the center. They provide biphasic drug release, with the PVP K60 side dissolving very rapidly to deliver a loading dose of the active ingredient, and the EC side resulting in sustained release of the remaining ketoprofen. The addition of PVP K10 to the EC side was able to accelerate the second stage of release; variation in the dopant amount permitted the release rate and extent this phase to be precisely tuned. These results offer the potential to rationally design systems with highly controllable drug release profiles, which can complement natural biological rhythms and deliver maximum therapeutic effects.

Nanofibers Fabricated Using Triaxial Electrospinning as Zero Order Drug Delivery Systems

A new strategy for creating functional trilayer nanofibers through triaxial electrospinning is demonstrated. Ethyl cellulose (EC) was used as the filament-forming matrix in the outer, middle, and inner working solutions and was combined with varied contents of the model active ingredient ketoprofen (KET) in the three fluids. Triaxial electrospinning was successfully carried out to generate medicated nanofibers. The resultant nanofibers had diameters of 0.74 ± 0.06 μm, linear morphologies, smooth surfaces, and clear trilayer nanostructures. The KET concentration in each layer gradually increased from the outer to the inner layer. In vitro dissolution tests demonstrated that the nanofibers could provide linear release of KET over 20 h. The protocol reported in this study thus provides a facile approach to creating functional nanofibers with sophisticated structural features.

Janus ultrathin film from multi-level self-assembly at air-water interfaces

Ultrathin free-standing Janus films were fabricated at air-water interfaces using azopyridine derivatives and poly(acrylic acid) via multi-level self-assembly on molecular and microscopic scales, which showed distinct asymmetric water wetting abilities on different surfaces.

Structural lipid nanoparticles self-assembled from electrospun core–shell polymeric nanocomposites

Electrospun core–sheath composite nanofibers are exploited as templates to manipulate molecular self-assembly for generating core–shell lipid nanoparticles.

Bi-component inorganic oxide nanofibers from gas jet fiber spinning process

Bi-component semiconducting metal oxide nanofibers with core–shell and side-by-side morphologies in mesoporous or solid cylindrical shapes are produced by gas-jet fiber process.

Structure-tunable Janus fibers fabricated using spinnerets with varying port angles

Janus nanofibers with tunable structures (modulation of width, interface and volume) can be prepared using spinnerets with varying port angles.