Polymer-metal oxide composite nanofibers

Abstract

Extensive studies have been conducted on different kinds of polymers, their composites, and multifunctionalities, depending on their structural features. Metal oxides and their polymer nanocomposites offer technological characteristics due to mechanical, electrical, and electronic properties. Nanofibers have considerable morphological significance, owing to their structural identity and behavior. Polymer composite nanofibers can be rodlike, porous, hollow, or core-shell, depending on the fabrication techniques that are used. Recently, electrospinning has been emerged as an important tool to fabricate microfibrous or nanofibrous membranes of polymers, biopolymers, and their composites. However, this procedure can be challenging, owing to the related cost and required external conditions, such as solvents and heat. Composite nanofibers can find applications in membrane, biomedical and pharmaceutical, food packaging, and environmental applications. This chapter discusses selected composite nanofibers and their characteristics, taking into account the electroactivity, elastomeric nature, and biofriendliness of the polymers.