Electrospinning of nanofibres

Electrospinning is used to fabricate microscale to nanoscale materials from polymeric solutions based on electrohydrodynamics. Material modifications are achieved through physical and chemical processes, producing diverse material architectures, from laboratory to industrial scales, for conventional and emerging applications. This Primer explains electrospinning technology, encompassing principles, methodologies, equipment, materials, applications, scalability and optimization. The article begins by elucidating the working principles, providing an overview of electrospinning methods and process parameters at laboratory and industrial scales, and discussing emerging equipment. Methods are described for tailoring the composition, architecture and properties of electrospun fibres and fibre assemblies. The versatility of these properties makes electrospun materials suitable for diverse applications spanning environmental, energy and medical applications, textiles, wearables, agriculture and advanced materials. The Primer concludes by discussing the constraints of current electrospinning techniques and offers a perspective on the field’s potential future trajectory. Ultra-fine nanofibres can be produced by manipulating polymer solutions, melts or suspensions with a strong electric field. This electrospinning process enables the properties of nanofibres to be tuned. In this Primer, electrospinning technology is explored, including the underlying principles, experimental techniques, characterization and applications in biomedicine, wearables and environmental purification.