Stimuli-Responsive Biodegradable Micro/Nanofiber Membranes for Smart and Sustainable Environmental Remediation

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive biodegradable micro/nanofiber membranes are advanced platforms for sustainable environmental remediation due to their adaptability to dynamic pollutant conditions. This chapter discusses design strategies, production routes, and functional mechanisms of these smart fibrous systems, with emphasis on biodegradable polymers with tunable physicochemical transitions in response to external triggers such as pH variation, temperature fluctuation, illumination, redox conditions, and specific chemical species. These responsive properties are closely linked to the structural hierarchy of the fibers, which is largely governed by fabrication techniques including electrospinning, solution blow spinning, and melt-based approaches. The chapter discusses how interactions between fiber morphology, surface chemistry, porosity, and mechanical stability define the responsiveness of the membranes and their overall efficiency in remediation processes. Also, the most important environmental applications, including the adaptive removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants, reversible adsorption-desorption behavior, controlled oil and water separation, and sustained self-cleaning or antifouling performance during long term operation, are reviewed. The biodegradable nature of these membranes helps reduce secondary pollution and supports more eco-friendly use. However, several challenges still remain, particularly in the field of controlling degradation rates, sustaining stability under repeated stimuli, and scaling up production without losing functionality. Future research perspectives in this chapter are focused on multimodal stimulus integration, bio-inspired design strategies, and hybrid fibrous architectures aimed at next-generation sustainable remediation technologies.