Embedded Ceria Nanoparticles in Crosslinked PVA Electrospun Nanofibers as Optical Sensors for Radicals

Recent Development of Polymer Nanofibers in the Field of Optical Sensing

In recent years, owing to the continuous development of polymer nanofiber manufacturing technology, various nanofibers with different structural characteristics have emerged, allowing their application in the field of sensing to continually expand. Integrating polymer nanofibers with optical sensors takes advantage of the high sensitivity, fast response, and strong immunity to electromagnetic interference of optical sensors, enabling widespread use in biomedical science, environmental monitoring, food safety, and other fields. This paper summarizes the research progress of polymer nanofibers in optical sensors, classifies and analyzes polymer nanofiber optical sensors according to different functions (fluorescence, Raman, polarization, surface plasmon resonance, and photoelectrochemistry), and introduces the principles, structures, and properties of each type of sensor and application examples in different fields. This paper also looks forward to the future development directions and challenges of polymer nanofiber optical sensors, and provides a reference for in-depth research of sensors and industrial applications of polymer nanofibers.

Optical sensors based on electrospun membranes – principles, applications, and prospects for chemistry and biology

Electrospun membranes are promising substrates for receptor layer immobilization in optical sensors. Either colorimetric, luminescence, or Raman scattering signal can be used to detect the analyte.

Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Biocompatible PLA-Based Trilayer Nanofibrous Membranes for the Delivery of Nanoceria: A Novel Approach for Diabetic Wound Healing

The attempts to explore and optimize the efficiency of diabetic wound healing's promotors are still in progress. Incorporation of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) in appropriate nanofibers (NFs) can prolong and maximize their promoting effect for the healing of diabetic wounds, through their sustained releases, as well as the nanofibers role in mimicking of the extra cellular matrix (ECM). The as-prepared nCeO2 were analyzed by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM and FTIR, where TEM and SEM images of both aqueous suspension and powder showed spherical/ovoid-shaped particles. Biodegradable trilayer NFs with cytobiocompatibility were developed to sandwich nCeO2 in PVA NFs as a middle layer where PLA NFs were electrospun as outer bilayer. The nCeO2-loaded trilayer NFs were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR and DSC. A two-stage release behavior was observed when the nanoceria was released from the trilayer-based nanofibers; an initial burst release took place, and then it was followed by a sustained release pattern. The mouse embryo fibroblasts, i.e., 3T3 cells, were seeded over the nCeO2-loaded NFs mats to investigate their cyto-biocompatibility. The presence and sustained release of nCeO2 efficiently enhance the adhesion, growth and proliferation of the fibroblasts' populations. Moreover, the incorporation of nCeO2 with a higher amount into the designed trilayer NFs demonstrated a significant improvement in morphological, mechanical, thermal and cyto-biocompatibility properties than lower doses. Overall, the obtained results suggest that designated trilayer nanofibrous membranes would offer a specific approach for the treatment of diabetic wounds through an effective controlled release of nCeO2.

Electrospun nanofibers: a promising horizon toward the detection and treatment of cancer

Due to the increase in the number of cancer patients, because of environmental parameters, high stress, low immunity, etc., there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective sensors for early targeted detection of cancerous cells with adequate selectivity and efficiency. Early disease diagnosis is important, as it is necessary to start treatments before disease progression. On the other hand, we need new, more efficient cancer treatment approaches with minimized side effects, more biocompatibility, and easy disposal. Nanobiotechnology is a field that can assist in developing new diagnostic and treatment approaches, specifically in fatal cancers. Herein, a study on the different applications of nanofibers in cancer detection as well as its treatment has been done. Here, a very brief survey on the main structure of biosensors and their different categories has been conducted and will precede the discussion of the study to serve as a reference and guide the reader's understanding.

Electrospun Nanofibers for Label-Free Sensor Applications

Electrospinning is a simple, low-cost and versatile method for fabricating submicron and nano size fibers. Due to their large surface area, high aspect ratio and porous structure, electrospun nanofibers can be employed in wide range of applications. Biomedical, environmental, protective clothing and sensors are just few. The latter has attracted a great deal of attention, because for biosensor application, nanofibers have several advantages over traditional sensors, including a high surface-to-volume ratio and ease of functionalization. This review provides a short overview of several electrospun nanofibers applications, with an emphasis on biosensor applications. With respect to this area, focus is placed on label-free sensors, pertaining to both recent advances and fundamental research. Here, label-free sensor properties of sensitivity, selectivity, and detection are critically evaluated. Current challenges in this area and prospective future work is also discussed.

Dual Probe Sensors Using Atomically Precise Noble Metal Clusters

This article adds a new direction to the functional capability of protein-protected atomically precise gold clusters as sensors. Counting on the extensively researched intense luminescence of these clusters and considering the electron donating nature of select amino acids, we introduce a dual probe sensor capable of sensing changes in luminescence and conductivity, utilizing bovine serum albumin-protected atomically precise gold clusters hosted on nanofibers. To this end, we have also developed a hybrid nanofiber with a conducting core with a porous dielectric shell. We show that clusters in combination with nanofibers offer a highly selective and sensitive platform for the detection of trace quantities of trinitrotoluene, both in solution and in the vapor phase. In the solution phase, trinitrotoluene (TNT) can be detected down to 1 ppt at room temperature, whereas in vapor phase, 4.8 × 10⁹ molecules of TNT can be sensed using a 1 mm fiber. Although the development in electrospinning techniques for fabricating nanofibers as sensors is quite substantial, a hybrid fiber with the dual properties of conductivity and luminescence has not been reported yet.