Manufacturing technologies of polymeric nanofibres and nanofibre yarns

In the textile industry, although there are several methods for obtaining sub-micro- or nanofibres, electrospinning perhaps is the most versatile process. Electrospinning has been recognized as a feasible technique for the fabrication of continuous polymeric nanofibre yarns desired in the textile industry. Various materials including polymers, composites, ceramics and metals have been successfully electrospun into nanofibres in recent years mostly in solution and some in the melt. Potential applications based on electrospun nanofibres as a new-generation material in the textile industry will be realized if suitable nanofibre yarns become available to textile processes like weaving, knitting and embroidery. In this review, we present, from a textile viewpoint, a comprehensive overview of processing technologies of polymeric nanofibres in the textile industry; however, the emphasis here is focused on electrospinning. In particular, we choose to concentrate on a detailed account of research activities on the yarns and fabrics composed of electrospun nanofibres. Our discussion is concluded with some personal perspectives on the future challenges for the development and optimization of yarns based on electrospun nanofibres. (C) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.