Advances in Photothermal Electrospinning: From Fiber Fabrication to Biomedical Application

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Photothermal electrospinning (PTE) combines electrospinning (ES) with photothermal therapy (PTT).
• It utilizes photothermal agents (PTAs) within electrospun fibers for localized thermal effects under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
• Electrospun fibers offer a high surface area for efficient PTA loading and tunable architectures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the emerging field of photothermal electrospinning (PTE).
• To summarize fabrication strategies and advancements in PTE applications.
• To discuss current challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

• Overview of fundamental PTE components: ES, PTAs, and PTT.
• Detailed examination of one-step and two-step fabrication methods for photothermal electrospun fibers.
• Summary of recent applications in antibacterial and non-antibacterial contexts.

Main Results:

• PTE enables precise temperature control and therapeutic efficacy.
• Photothermal electrospun fibers demonstrate potential in diverse biomedical applications.
• Advancements cover antibacterial therapy, anticancer treatment, tissue regeneration, and drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• PTE is a promising technology with broad biomedical potential.
• Further research is needed to address current challenges.
• PTE offers a versatile platform for advanced therapeutic strategies.