Exploring temperature-responsive drug delivery with biocompatible fatty acids as phase change materials in ethyl cellulose nanofibers

This study introduces a novel temperature-responsive drug delivery system using ethyl cellulose (EC) nanofibers encapsulating a eutectic mixture of lauric acid/stearic acid (LA/SA) as phase change materials (PCMs) and Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model drug. Employing blend electrospinning, the nanofibers achieved controlled drug release responsive to temperature changes. The peak shift of the carbonyl group in FTIR analysis confirmed drug-polymer compatibility, while the absence of RhB peaks in the XRD and DSC assessments revealed RhB's amorphous distribution within the fibers. Our findings demonstrate that RhB release is dependent on its loading, with a slow initial release (<2 %) for 1 % and 5 % RhB loadings and a burst release (~12 %) for 10 % loading. Notably, the release rate was tunable at 37 °C by adjusting LA/SA concentration. The optimal LA/SA loading for temperature-responsive release is identified as 10 %. Over 240 h, there is a 32 % increase in RhB release at 37 °C, and an additional 8 % increase at 40 °C, compared to 25 °C. This research illustrates the potential of PCM-integrated nanofibers in smart drug delivery, particularly for chemotherapy, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, showcasing an innovative approach to improving therapeutic efficiency while reducing side effects.

Heat's Role in Solution Electrospinning: A Novel Approach to Nanofiber Structure Optimization

In this study, we explored an innovative application of heat-assisted solution electrospinning, a technique that significantly advances the control of phase separation in polystyrene (PS) fibers. Our experimental approach involved the use of direct heating and a convection air sheath applied through a coaxial needle, focusing on solvents with varying vapor pressures. This method enabled a detailed investigation into how solvent evaporation rates affect the morphology of the electrospun fibers. SEM and AFM measurements revealed that the application of direct heating and a heated air sheath offered precise control over the fiber morphology, significantly influencing both the surface and internal structure of the fibers. Additionally, we observed notable changes in fiber diameter, indicating that heat-assisted electrospinning can be effectively utilized to tailor fiber dimensions according to specific application requirements. Moreover, our research demonstrated the critical role of solvent properties, particularly vapor pressure, in determining the final characteristics of the electrospun fibers. By comparing fibers produced with different solvents, we gained insights into the complex interplay between solvent dynamics and heat application in fiber formation. The implications of these findings are far-reaching, offering new possibilities for the fabrication of nanofibers with customized properties. Furthermore, this could have profound impacts on various applications, from biomedical to environmental, where specific fiber characteristics are crucial. This study not only contributes to the understanding of phase separation in electrospinning but also opens avenues for further research on the optimization of fiber properties for diverse industrial and scientific applications.

Harnessing the Synergy of Fe and Co with Carbon Nanofibers for Enhanced CO2 Hydrogenation Performance

Amid growing concerns about climate change and energy sustainability, the need to create potent catalysts for the sequestration and conversion of CO2 to value-added chemicals is more critical than ever. This work describes the successful synthesis and profound potential of high-performance nanofiber catalysts, integrating earth-abundant iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) as well as their alloy counterpart, FeCo, achieved through electrospinning and judicious thermal treatments. Systematic characterization using an array of advanced techniques, including SEM, TGA-DSC, ICP-MS, XRF, EDS, FTIR-ATR, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, confirmed the integration and homogeneous distribution of Fe/Co elements in nanofibers and provided insights into their catalytic nuance. Impressively, the bimetallic FeCo nanofiber catalyst, thermally treated at 1050 °C, set a benchmark with an unparalleled CO2 conversion rate of 46.47% at atmospheric pressure and a consistent performance over a 55 h testing period at 500 °C. Additionally, this catalyst exhibited prowess in producing high-value hydrocarbons, comprising 8.01% of total products and a significant 31.37% of C2+ species. Our work offers a comprehensive and layered understanding of nanofiber catalysts, delving into their transformations, compositions, and structures under different calcination temperatures. The central themes of metal-carbon interactions, the potential advantages of bimetallic synergies, and the importance of structural defects all converge to define the catalytic performance of these nanofibers. These revelations not only deepen our understanding but also set the stage for future endeavors in designing advanced nanofiber catalysts with bespoke properties tailored for specific applications.

Electrospun Nanofibers: Shaping the Future of Controlled and Responsive Drug Delivery

Electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery systems (DDS) introduce a revolutionary means of administering pharmaceuticals, holding promise for both improved drug efficacy and reduced side effects. These biopolymer nanofiber membranes, distinguished by their high surface area-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, are ideally suited for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. One of their standout attributes is the capability to offer the controlled release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), allowing custom-tailored release profiles to address specific diseases and administration routes. Moreover, stimuli-responsive electrospun DDS can adapt to conditions at the drug target, enhancing the precision and selectivity of drug delivery. Such localized API delivery paves the way for superior therapeutic efficiency while diminishing the risk of side effects and systemic toxicity. Electrospun nanofibers can foster better patient compliance and enhanced clinical outcomes by amplifying the therapeutic efficiency of routinely prescribed medications. This review delves into the design principles and techniques central to achieving controlled API release using electrospun membranes. The advanced drug release mechanisms of electrospun DDS highlighted in this review illustrate their versatility and potential to improve the efficacy of medical treatments.

Advancing Nanofiber Research: Assessing Nonsolvent Contributions to Structure Using Coaxial Electrospinning

In this study, we explored the influence of molecular interactions and solvent evaporation kinetics on the formation of porous structures in electrospun nanofibers, utilizing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polystyrene (PS) as model polymers. The coaxial electrospinning technique was employed to control the injection of water and ethylene glycol (EG) as nonsolvents into polymer jets, demonstrating its potential as a powerful tool for manipulating phase separation processes and fabricating nanofibers with tailored properties. Our findings highlighted the critical role of intermolecular interactions between nonsolvents and polymers in governing phase separation and porous structure formation. Additionally, we observed that the size and polarity of nonsolvent molecules affected the phase separation process. Furthermore, solvent evaporation kinetics were found to significantly impact phase separation, as evidenced by less distinct porous structures when using a rapidly evaporating solvent like tetrahydrofuran (THF) instead of dimethylformamide (DMF). This work offers valuable insights into the intricate relationship between molecular interactions and solvent evaporation kinetics during electrospinning, providing guidance for researchers developing porous nanofibers with specific characteristics for various applications, including filtration, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.

Efficient and Secure Encapsulation of a Natural Phase Change Material in Nanofibers Using Coaxial Electrospinning for Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage

In this study, we present an ecofriendly technique for encapsulating lauric acid (LA), a natural phase change material, within polystyrene (PS) nanofibers through coaxial electrospinning. The resulting LAPS core-sheath nanofibers exhibited a melting enthalpy of up to 136.6 J/g, representing 75.8% of the heat storage capacity of pristine LA (180.2 J/g), a value surpassing all previously reported core-sheath fibers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform LAPS nanofibers free of surface LA until the core LA feed rate reached 1.3 mL/h. As the core LA feed rate increased, the fiber diameter shrank from 2.24 ± 0.31 to 0.58 ± 0.45 μm. Infrared spectra demonstrated a proportional increase in the LA content with rising core LA injection rates. Thermogravimetric analysis found the maximum core LA content in core-sheath nanofibers to be 75.0%. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms displayed a trend line shift upon LA leakage for LA1.3PS nanofibers. LAPS fibers containing 75.0% LA effectively maintained consistent cycling stability and reusability across 100 heating-cooling cycles (20-60 °C) without heat storage deterioration. The core LA remained securely within the PS sheath after 100 cycles, and the LAPS nanofibers retained an excellent structural integrity without rupture. The energy-dense and form-stable LAPS core-sheath nanofibers have great potential for various thermal energy storage applications, such as building insulation, smart textiles, and electronic cooling systems, providing efficient temperature regulation and energy conservation.