Controllable fabrication of micro/nanostructures by electrospinning from polystyrene/poly(vinyl alcohol) emulsion dispersions

Fabrication and characterization of lipopeptide biosurfactant-based electrospun nanofibers for use in tissue engineering

Nanofibers are a class of nanomaterial with specific physicochemical properties and characteristics making them quite sought after and investigated by researchers. Lipopeptide biosurfactant (LPB) formulation properties were previously established in wound healing. LPB were isolated from in vitro culture of Acinetobacter junii B6 and loaded on nanofibers formulation produced by electrospinning method with different ratios of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and Poloxamer. Numerous experimental control tests were carried out on formulations, including physicochemical properties which were evaluated by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), morphology study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal stability. The best nanofibers formulation was obtained by the electrospinning method, with a voltage of 19.8 volts, a discharge capacity of 1cm/h, a cylindrical rotating velocity of 100rpm, and a needle interval of 7cm from the cylinder, which continued for 7hours. The formulation contained 2% (w/v) CMC, 10% (w/v) poloxamer, 9% (w/v) PVA, and 5% (w/v) LPB. This formula had desirable physicochemical properties including spreadability, stability, and uniformity with the particle size of about 590nm.

Strategies for improving loading of emulsion-based functional oil powder

Functional oil is type of oil that is beneficial to human health and has nutritional value, however, functional oils are rich in bioactive substances such as polyunsaturated fatty acids which are sensitive to environmental factors and are susceptible to oxidation or decomposition. Construction of emulsion-based oil powder is a promising approach for improving the stability and solubility of functional oils. However, the low effective loading of oil in powder is the main challenge limiting encapsulation technology. This manuscript focuses on reviewing the current research progress of emulsion-based functional oil powder construction and systematically summarizes the processing characteristics of emulsion-based oil powder with high payload and summarizing the strategies to enhance the payload of powder in term of emulsification and drying, respectively. The impact of emulsion formation on oil powder production is discussed from different characteristics of emulsions, including emulsion composition, emulsification methods and emulsion types. In addition, the current status of improving material loading performance by various modifications to the drying technology is discussed, including the addition of drying processing additives, changes in drying parameters and the effect of innovative technological means.

Polymer Colloids: Current Challenges, Emerging Applications, and New Developments

Polymer colloids are complex materials that have the potential to be used in a vast array of applications. One of the main reasons for their continued growth in commercial use is the water-based emulsion polymerization process through which they are generally synthesized. This technique is not only highly efficient from an industrial point of view but also extremely versatile and permits the large-scale production of colloidal particles with controllable properties. In this perspective, we seek to highlight the central challenges in the synthesis and use of polymer colloids, with respect to both existing and emerging applications. We first address the challenges in the current production and application of polymer colloids, with a particular focus on the transition toward sustainable feedstocks and reduced environmental impact in their primary commercial applications. Later, we highlight the features that allow novel polymer colloids to be designed and applied in emerging application areas. Finally, we present recent approaches that have used the unique colloidal nature in unconventional processing techniques.

Green Electrospinning of Polymer Latexes: A Systematic Study of the Effect of Latex Properties on Fiber Morphology

Green electrospinning is a relatively new promising technology in which a polymer (latex) can be spun from an aqueous dispersion with the help of a template polymer. This method is a green, clean and safe technology that is able to spin hydrophobic polymers using water as an electrospinning medium. In this article, a systematic study that investigates the influence of the template polymer molar mass, the total solids content of the initial dispersion and the particle/template ratio is presented. Furthermore, the influence of the surfactant used to stabilize the polymer particles, the surface functionality of the polymer particles and the use of a bimodal particle size distribution on the final fiber morphology is studied for the first time. In green electrospinning, the viscosity of the initial complex blend depends on the amount and molar mass of the template polymer but also on the total solids content of the dispersion to be spun. Thus, both parameters must be carefully taken into account in order to fine-tune the final fiber morphology. Additionally, the particle packing and the surface chemistry of the polymer particles also play an important role in the obtained nanofibers quality.