Nanofibers as novel drug carrier – An overview

Figures & data

Table I. Polymer and solvents used for fabrication of nanofiber.

Polymer	Solvent
Polycaprolactone	Acetone, Chloroform
Polyurethane	DMF
Polyvinyl chloride	THF, DMF
Poly-L-Lactide	Dichloromethane
Polyurethane and PEO	THF, DMF
Polycarbonate	DMF, THF
Polyethylene oxide	Isopropyl alcohol
Cellulose acetate	Acetone
Polyvinylcarbazole	Dichloromethane
Polyamide	Dimethylacetamide
Collagen	Hexafluoro-2-propanol
polyvinyl phenol (PVP)	THF

THF, Tetrahydrofuran; DMF, Dimethylformamide.

Figure 1. Nanofiber fabrication by drawing technique.

Figure 2. Nanofibers produced by template synthesis.

Figure 3. Nanofibers produced by phase separation process.

Figure 4. Electrospinning process of polymer nanofibers.

Table II. Comparison between the existing fabrication techniques of nanofibers.

Technology	Advantages	Disadvantages
Template synthesis	Fibers having different diameters can be achieved by using different templates	Special templates have to be used
Drawing	Minimum equipment requirement	Discontinuous process. Small productivity
Phase separation	Production of fibrous layer, minimum equipment requirement. Batch-to-batch consistency is achieved easily.	Only some polymers can be used
Self-assembly	Very fine fibers can be produced.	Very complex process
Electrospinning	Long continuous fibers can be produced Cost-effective	Jet instability

Figure 5. Application of nanofibers in different areas.