ABSTRACT
Polymer nanofibers containing metal oxide nanoparticles represent a new class of materials with remarkable application potential because they can combine the advantages of both components and may offer special properties through reinforcing or modifying each other. In particular, polymer nanofibers incorporating inorganic nanoparticles possess outstanding optical, catalytic, electronic, magnetic, and biological properties. Metal oxide nanoparticles, such as ZnO, SnO2, TiO2, etc., have attracted much attention because of their use in numerous practical applications, such as magnetic storage materials, sensors, magnetic inks, magnetic resonance imaging, biotechnology, and catalysis. The incorporation of the semiconductor oxides (undoped/doped with metal nanoparticles) into a polymer matrix can be achieved using the electrospinning method. This method allows obtaining nanofibers having a diameter ranging from a few microns to the nanometer level by changing the working conditions, such as the applied voltage and viscosity of polymer solution, and for the economical aspect. Using electrospinning, metal oxide nanoparticles can be embedded in various matrices forming nanocomposites with enhanced physicochemical properties. This chapter presents the most recent achievements in electrospun metal oxide–based nanofiber composites and their biorelated and environmental applications.
