Electrospinning of chitosan-based nanofibers: Innovations in fabrication and applications

Electrospinning is an advanced technique to fabricate micro- to nano-sized nonwoven fibers by stretching polymer melts or dispersions in a high voltage electric field. It has become an attractive process due to its versatility, scalability, and unique properties of nanofibers. Chitosan, a highly abundant biopolymer derived from partial deacetylation of the chitin, is a prime candidate for electrospinning into nanofibers due to its non-toxicity, biodegradability, antimicrobial and chelating properties. When successfully electrospun, chitosan nanofibers have demonstrated potential applications in wound dressing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, water and air filtration, solar panels, and food packaging. However, the rigid structure and low solubility of chitosan arise as difficulties in direct electrospinning of chitosan. Various strategies have been explored to address the challenge in its electrospinnability, including solvent selection (e.g., the use of organic solvents or mixtures of organic and aqueous solvents), parameter optimization, blending with other polymers, e.g., poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene oxide), and chemical modifications (i.e., chitosan derivatives). Additionally, crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde and genipin, have been employed to improve the mechanical and chemical stability of chitosan nanofibers. This article reviews the recent developments in the fabrication techniques and applications of chitosan-based nanofibers. • Electrospinning creates micro- to nano-sized chitosan-based nonwoven fibers. • Chitosan nanofibers offer biodegradability, antimicrobial, and chelating properties. • Applications include biomedicine, filtration, and food packaging. • Solvent selection, polymer blending, and modifications enhance electrospinnability. • Crosslinking improves chitosan nanofiber stability and mechanical strength.