Enhancing nanofiber characteristics through solvothermal approaches for environmental cleaning and energy-saving applications

• Published in: Materials today communications 2024-08, Vol.40, p.110120, Article 110120
• Main Authors: Rafiq, Muheeb, Rather, Anjum Hamid, Khan, Rumysa Saleem, Rehman, Razia, Qureashi, Aaliya, Khan, Haseeb A., Alhomida, Abdullah S., Tripathi, Ravi Mani, Rather, Sami-ullah, Majeed, Shafquat, Sheikh, Faheem A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrospinning; Energy; Environment; Nanofiber; Solvothermal
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.110120

Nowadays, the solvothermal approach to modify as-spun nanofibers has gained attention. This technique involves subjecting nanofibers to a reaction environment with high temperature and pressure in the presence of a nonsolvent while preserving the fiber architect. This review emphasizes that desirable morphological changes can be brought to the nanofiber surface to achieve the properties by adjusting the solvent concentration and other reaction parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and the addition of functional groups. This article indicates that post-modification can lead to customized characteristics that will help to improve the nanofibers' performance in applications such as photocatalysis, sensing, energy storage, and biomedical areas. After the solvothermal treatment, these post-modified nanofibers have shown excellent reusability, visible light photocatalytic nature < 90 % dye removal property, high-capacitive character, enhanced gas sensing ability, and antibacterial activity. However, the reaction conditions during the solvothermal process to as-spun nanofibers must be controlled to meet the latest advancement needs precisely. [Display omitted] •Role of the solvothermal process in modifying the surface of nanofibers.•Synthesis of different nanomaterials by solvothermal process.•Effect of the solvothermal modification on the applicability of the modified material.