Nanofibers: Transforming Drug Delivery with Innovation

Polymer have garnered significant interest owing to their exceptional properties, including a large surface area, high porosity, small pore size, robust mechanical strength and the ability to incorporate surface functionalities. Among the techniques for producing nanofibers, electro spinning stands out due to its simplicity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. Electrospun polymer nanofibers particularly significant in biomedical applications, acting as carriers for the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules like cytokines, growth factors, anticancer drugs, enzymes and vitamins. The ability to fine-tune the physical and chemical properties of nanofibers enables precise control over drug release profiles, enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects. Their high porosity and large surface area enhance drug loading capacity and ensure effective diffusion. Applications of polymer nanofibers extend beyond drug delivery to include tissue engineering, wound dressings, filtration membranes and energy storage devices. Their versatility and potential for innovation make polymer nanofibers a cornerstone of advanced material science. The fabrication of nanofibers employs techniques such as, electro spinning, phase separation, template synthesis and self-assembly. Electro spinning, the most prevalent method, uses an electric field to draw polymer solutions into continuous nanofibers. Critical parameters influencing this process include polymer concentration, solution viscosity, applied voltage, flow rate and environmental factors like humidity and temperature. These parameters directly impact fiber morphology, diameter and uniformity. This article provides an overview of nanofibers, highlighting the various fabrication techniques, methods for their characterization, the key parameters influencing the electro spinning process and their diverse applications.