The History of Electrospinning: Past, Present, and Future Developments

Electrospinning has rapidly progressed over the past few decades as an easy and versatile way to fabricate fibers with diameters ranging from micrometers to tens of nanometers that present unique and intricate morphologies. This has led to the conception of new technologies and diverse methods that exploit the basic electrohydrodynamic phenomena of the electrospinning process, which has in turn led to the invention of novel apparatuses that have reshaped the field. Research on revamping conventional electrospinning has principally focused on achieving three key objectives: upscaling the process while retaining consistent morphological traits, developing 3D nanofibrous macrostructures, and formulating novel fiber configurations.

Figure 3. Structural diversity of individual electrospun fiber morphologies

This review introduces an extensive group of diverse electrospinning techniques and presents a comperative study based on the apparatus type and output. Then, each process’s advantages and limitations are critically assessed to identify the bona fide practicability and relevance of each technological breakthrough. Finally, the outlook on future developments of advanced electrospinning technologies is outlined, with an emphasis on upscaling, translational research, sustainable manufacturing and prospective solutions to current shortcomings.

Table 3. Overview of recent studies utilizing green, environmentally safe, and biorenewable solvents for electrospinning

Solvent system	Polymer (additives)	Electrospinning technique	Ref.
2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2MeTHF)/formic acid	Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV)	Mono-axial (using a syringe heater, to prevent sol-gel transition)	[87]
Acetic acid/ethyl acetate/water	Polycaprolactone (PCL) + gelatin	Mono-axial (blend)	[88]
Acetic acid/formic acid/acetone	PCL	Needleless (AC)	[89]
Acetic acid/water	Cellulose acetate (CA) and chitosan (CS)	Co-axial electrospinning	[90]
Ethanol	Ethanol-soluble polyurethane (TPU) and thymol (antibacterial compound)	In situ (handheld)	[91]
Ethanol	Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)	Needleless (wire)	[92]
Ethanol/diacetone alcohol	Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyamide pellets	Mono-axial	[93]
Ethanol/water	Chitin propionate and PEO	Mono-axial (blend)	[94]
Ethyl acetate/acetic acid	Ethylcellulose polyglycerol polyricinoleate (surfactant) + polyethylene glycol (PEG)	Mono-axial (emulsion)	[95]
Dimethyl carbonate (DMC)/water	Polylactic acid (PVAc) + tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB, salt)	Mono-axial	[96]
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/acetone	Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)	Centrifugal	[97]
DMSO/acetone	Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) + LiCl (additive salt)	Mono-axial	[98]
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)/formic acid	PHBV	Mono-axial (using a syringe heater, to prevent sol-gel transition)	[87]
Water	Polyethylene oxide (PEO)	Needleless ultrasound-enhanced electrospinning (USES)	[99]

Download the full review as PDF here: The History of Electrospinning: Past, Present, and Future Developments

Antonios Keirouz, Zhe Wang, Vundrala Sumedha Reddy, Zsombor Kristóf Nagy, Panna Vass, Matej Buzgo, Seeram Ramakrishna, and Norbert Radacsi, The History of Electrospinning: Past, Present, and Future Developments, Advanced Materials Technologies, 2023, 2201723,
DOI: 10.1002/admt.202201723