A review on fabrication methods of nanofibers and a special focus on application of cellulose nanofibers

Nanofibers have become significant in almost many industries due to their extraordinary engineering properties, particularly in the packaging, purification, textile, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sectors. Nano-scale fibres, also known as nanofibers, are manufactured from a variety of polymers, depending on their intended function. Most of these nanofibers were discovered to be biodegradable and biocompatible, and have the capacity to construct a highly porous structure with superior properties, making them suitable for wide array of applications, including packaging, drug delivery, medical implants such as organ and tissue grafts, wound repair, and dressing materials in the pharmaceutical industry, and as a filter or adsorbent in water treatment. It is the primary objective of this research to provide a comprehensive knowledge of nanofiber synthesis techniques, morphological, thermal, and mechanical characterizations of nanofibers, as well as their applications in industries and disciplines. This study as well includes a short glimpse of recent works on cellulose nanofibers and the current advancements of nanofibers for antimicrobial applications.