Electrospinning production of nanofibrous membranes

Electrospinning has attracted a worldwide interest as a technique for the production of nanofibrous membranes with diameter ranging 2nm to several microscales using natural and synthetic polymers. The electrospun nanofibres have advantages such as high surface area, easy surface modification, functionalization of polymeric chains, inexpensive and tunable thermo-mechanical properties. Moreover, electrospinning is one of the simplest techniques for the incorporation of nanofillers into polymeric nanofibres. Herein, we review the preparation and applications of natural and polymer-based nanofibrous membranes. We focus on applications of the electrospun membrane for energy storage, water purification and biomedical. Furthermore, we show surface morphologies of nanofibrous membranes using fast emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and micrographs.