Fabrication of Poly(vinylidene fluoride−trifluoroethylene)/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)−Polystyrene Sulfonate Composite Nanofibers via Electrospinning

Semiconducting Properties of the Hybrid Film of Elastic Poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) Block Copolymer and Semiconducting Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanofibers

We investigated the electrical properties of a composite film loaded with semi-conductive poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanofibers dispersed in poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS). This structure can be regarded as the hybrid of SBS matrix with elastic mechanical properties and P3HT nanofibers with semiconducting properties. The P3HT nanofibers were embedded in the fingerprint pattern of microphase-separated SBS, as observed by scanning force microscopy. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity and field-effect mobility of the composite films were evaluated. The field-effect mobility was estimated to be 6.96 × 10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is consistent with the results of previous studies on P3HT nanofibers dispersed in an amorphous polymer matrix including poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene, and we found that the P3HT nanofiber network was connected in the SBS bulk matrix. The film was stretchable; however, at elongation by two times, the nanofiber network could not follow the elongation of the SBS matrix, and the conductivity decreased drastically. The field-effect transistor of this film was operated by bending deformation with a radius of curvature of 1.75 cm, though we could not obtain an off-state and the device operated in a normally-on state.

Electrospinning Piezoelectric Fibers for Biocompatible Devices

The field of nanotechnology has been gaining great success due to its potential in developing new generations of nanoscale materials with unprecedented properties and enhanced biological responses. This is particularly exciting using nanofibers, as their mechanical and topographic characteristics can approach those found in naturally occurring biological materials. Electrospinning is a key technique to manufacture ultrafine fibers and fiber meshes with multifunctional features, such as piezoelectricity, to be available on a smaller length scale, thus comparable to subcellular scale, which makes their use increasingly appealing for biomedical applications. These include biocompatible fiber-based devices as smart scaffolds, biosensors, energy harvesters, and nanogenerators for the human body. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current studies focused on the fabrication of ultrafine polymeric and ceramic piezoelectric fibers specifically designed for, or with the potential to be translated toward, biomedical applications. It provides an applicative and technical overview of the biocompatible piezoelectric fibers, with actual and potential applications, an understanding of the electrospinning process, and the properties of nanostructured fibrous materials, including the available modeling approaches. Ultimately, this review aims at enabling a future vision on the impact of these nanomaterials as stimuli-responsive devices in the human body.

Macroporous conductive polymer films fabricated by electrospun nanofiber templates and their electromechanical properties

We demonstrate a facile method to fabricate macroporous poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) films with empty channels by using electrospun nanofiber as a sacrificial template. The channels within the PEDOT/PSS films were prepared by depositing PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersion onto poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVP/PMMA) nanofiber template, and then the nanofibers were removed by solvent extraction. The average diameter of the channels is 313±45 nm, which is almost the same as the parent PVP/PMMA nanofibers. The macroporous PEDOT/PSS film with the empty channels showed an enhancement of electromechanical properties compared to the nonporous PEDOT/PSS film.