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Antimicrobial Fibers and Fabrics Obtained by Electro/Melt Spinning

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Polymers against Microorganisms

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Abstract

Nanotechnology and nanoscience involve different aspects including the manipulation, control, and assembly of nanoscale components to produce materials, systems, and/or devices. In this context, the fabrication of micro/nanofibers has attracted huge interest. In particular, micro/nanofibers have different properties such as high porosity, small pore size, high surface area, and compatibility with functionalizing additives that enables their use in multiple applications. These include their use as enzyme carriers, membranes for filtration purposes, as barriers to liquid penetration, sensors, delivery purposes, and catalysts. Polymer fibers have also been explored in a large variety of medical applications such as tissue engineering or in regenerative medicine.

In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the most extended fabrication approaches and their use in medical applications, in particular to prevent microbial contamination. The fabrication of fibers treated with antimicrobials is today a standard finish for many different textile products employed in such uses as medical, institutional, and hygienic. More recently, antimicrobial fibers have been extended to other applications including women’s wear, sportswear, and aesthetic clothing to impart anti-odor or biostatic properties.

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  1. Institute of Polymer Science & Technology (ICTP-CSIC), Madrid, Spain

    Juan Rodríguez-Hernández

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Rodríguez-Hernández, J. (2017). Antimicrobial Fibers and Fabrics Obtained by Electro/Melt Spinning. In: Polymers against Microorganisms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47961-3_7

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