Cellulose nanocrystal based electrospun nanofiber for biomedical applications–A review

Abstract

Electrospinning has become a revolutionized technique for nanofiber fabrication by offering versatile procedures to precisely regulate the nanofibers' properties suitable for a wide range of advanced applications. Nanofibers are utilized as carriers for delivering medications and other health supplements as well as their ability to discharge their contents can be easily programmed and tailored in a specific manner, while serving as tissue engineering scaffolds or medical devices. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are one of the most significant natural biopolymers incorporated as reinforcing agents for nanostructured fibrous frameworks. The integration of electrospinning technology and CNC offers a viable method for manufacturing nanostructured porous substances with favorable functionality, a high ratio of surface area to volume, a tunable crystal structure along with non-toxicity and cytocompatibility, outstanding mechanical properties, flexibility, sustainability, and biodegradable properties. This article offers a thorough summary of the latest progress in the application of CNC based electrospun nanofibers in various biomedical fields such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. It covers the techniques and parameters used for their fabrication, the different types of raw materials employed, and their application criteria. The review concludes by discussing the prospects and challenges in this rapidly evolving research domains.