A Review on the Impact of Humidity during Electrospinning: From the Nanofiber Structure Engineering to the Applications

Electrospinning is the process of choice for elaboration nanofibrous mats. During process, a thin and continuous charged jet polymer solution traveling from an emitter subjected to high voltage toward grounded collector. Although duration travel in order few tens milliseconds, physical interactions acting between air play key role on resulting fiber morphology. These mainly rely amount water molecules air. This review deals with effect humidity during electrospinning solvent evaporation, solidification rate nanofibers finally, morphology at length scales ranging non-woven mat, nanofiber itself down crystal. Original processes operating under specific environmental conditions as well specificities encountered needleless free-surface dedicated industrial-scale mass production are also discussed. Then, it shown how control understanding its influence fibrous structure can be exploited target various applications energy, environment, health. Finally, current challenges ideas future research new developments presented.