Sensors from Electrospun Nanostructures

Abstract

Nanotechnology exerts a significant influence on materials science, providing new insights into the design of functional materials. One of the most studied areas of nano- technologies is that of nanofibres, characterised by high specific volume, chemical activ- ity and volume-dependent physical processes. The most promising method of producing nanofibres with various morphologies and functionalities from different materials is electrospinning, where high voltage is applied between the spinneret and the collector to the charged polymer solution (or melt) to draw polymer filaments. This chapter reviews the main electrospinning techniques for producing nanofibres from polymers, provides an overview on the influence of the spinning solution characteristics, the process param- eters and the working environment on the process and highlights the many applications of electrospun nanofibres in the field of sensors. Latest advances in this field and the prospects for obtaining new electrospun nanofibre sensors are discussed.