Functionalized Polyvinylidene Fluoride Electrospun Nanofibers and Applications

Abstract

Electrospun polymeric nanofibers with flexible three-dimensional porous structures and high surface-to-volume ratio are potential resources for several novel applications in the fields of micro- and nanoscale filtration, water desalination, drug delivery, life sciences, catalysis, and energy harvesters. Functionalized polymeric fibers with enhanced molecular orientation, surface textural morphologies, and piezo-, pyro-, and ferroelectric properties are of technical and commercial interest around the world. Several emerging technologies including electrical polarization, vacuum plasma treatment, corona discharge, surface fluorination, and chemical treatments to functionalize the polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers are discussed as potential applications of electroactive materials.