A review: Electrospinning of biopolymer nanofibers and their applications

Abstract

Electrospinning is a fabrication technique, which can be used to create nanofibrous non-wovens from a variety of starting materials. The structure, chemical and mechanical stability, functionality, and other properties of the mats can be modified to match end applications. In this review, an introduction to biopolymers and the electrospinning process, as well as an overview of applications of nanofibrous biopolymer mats created by the electrospinning process will be discussed. Biopolymers will include polysaccharides (cellulose, chitin, chitosan, dextrose), proteins (collagen, gelatin, silk, etc.), DNA, as well as some biopolymer derivatives and composites.