ABSTRACT
Fabrics composed of nanofibers offer small pore size and large surface area, and they are expected to bring value to applications where the properties, such as sound and temperature insulation, fluid holding capacity, softness, durability, luster, barrier property enhancement, and filtration performance are needed. In particular, liquid and aerosol filtration could benefit greatly from the introduction of nanofibers, since these fibers will improve their performance significantly. The use of nanofibers in composite materials for protective gear, such as face masks, medical gowns and drapes, and protective clothing applications is also being aggressively explored [2]. Other employments of nanofibers include barrier fabrics, wipes, personal care, and pharmaceutical applications. Enormous applications of these fibers are expected in nanocatalysis, tissue scaffolds, and optical engineering [3]. Hollow and core-sheath nanofibers have great potential for optical and microelectronics uses [4]. Currently nanofibers are widely applied in ultrasuede and other synthetic leather products as well as in commercial air filtration applications [5-9]. In today’s environment, it is not surprising at all to witness an explosion of renewed interest in nanofibers and nanomaterials.
