Coaxial Needles

Coaxial electrospinning, also recognized as bicomponent electrospinning, is an innovative technique used to create nanofibers with a distinctive core-shell structure. In this advanced technique, two distinct polymer solutions or materials are concurrently spun through coaxial needles or spinnerets. One substance serves as the core of the nanofiber, while the other creates the shell. This method enables precise control over the structure, composition, and functionality of the nanofibers, making it exceptionally versatile for a wide range of applications.

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Biomedical Applications: Coaxial electrospinning is a highly impactful technique in the field of biomedicine, particularly in the development of drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. Notably, Liu et al. (2017) successfully engineered core-shell structured nanofibers to achieve sustained drug release. In this innovative approach, the core encapsulated a therapeutic agent, while the shell provided crucial mechanical support and controlled release properties.

The process of coaxial electrospinning has been used in the textile industry to create functional fabrics that have enhanced properties, such as antibacterial or water-repellent capabilities. Researchers have incorporated different types of nanoparticles into the core or shell to achieve specific functionalities (Li et al., 2016).

In environmental applications, researchers have used coaxial electrospinning to develop nanofibers for environmental remediation purposes. For instance, Wang et al. (2019) created core-shell nanofibers with magnetic nanoparticles in the core and adsorbent polymers in the shell for efficient removal of heavy metals from water.

Energy Storage and Conversion: Coaxial electrospinning has also been explored in the field of energy. Zhang et al. (2018) showcased the utilization of coaxial electrospun nanofibers for flexible supercapacitors. The core-shell structure was found to enhance the conductivity and capacitance of the electrode material.

Functional Materials: Coaxial electrospinning, a cutting-edge technique in materials science and engineering, empowers the creation of fibers with heightened mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Notably, the development of fibers containing a conductive core (e.g., carbon nanotubes) and a protective polymer shell has opened doors to groundbreaking applications in flexible electronics and sensors (Chen et al., 2017).

In summary, coaxial electrospinning is a highly versatile technique with a wide array of applications in pharmaceuticals, materials science, environmental engineering, textiles, and the energy sector. Its unique ability to precisely control nanofiber structure and composition enables the development of advanced materials tailored to meet specific performance requirements across various fields, thus fueling global innovation and research advancements.

 

Bibliography:

  1. Hu, X., Liu, S., Zhou, G., Huang, Y., Xie, Z., Jing, X., & Huang, Y. (2018). Coaxial electrospun fibers: applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, 10(2), e1489. DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1489.
  2. Chen, Y., Zhou, S., Li, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2017). Carbon Nanotube-Coated Ceramic Core-Shell Fibers by Coaxial Electrospinning: Electrochemical Properties and Applications in Flexible Microbial Fuel Cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9(25), 21574-21582. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b05018.
  3. Zhu, C., Li, Y., Liu, H., & Liu, Y. (2019). Coaxial electrospinning for environmental remediation: a versatile strategy. Chemical Engineering Journal, 373, 1139-1155. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2019.05.078.
  4. Chou, S. F., Carson, D., Woodrow, K. A. (2020). Current strategies for sustaining drug release from electrospun nanofibers. Journal of Controlled Release, 220, 584-591. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.11.002.
  5. Wu, X., Yang, F., Yang, Y., Zhao, J., & Yang, Y. (2018). Coaxial electrospinning to fabricate core-shell structured fibers for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Nanomaterials, 8(7), 513. DOI: 10.3390/nano8070513.