Single Nanofiber Mechanics: Guiding Principles for Robust and Multifunctional Nanofiber Materials

Nanofiber materials combine their nanoscale dependent characteristics with the structural advantages of fiber materials, showing broad applications in biomedical, flexible electronics, energy storage, and other fields. The practical application of such materials largely depends on their structural integrity and long-term reliability. As the fundamental building blocks of nanofiber assemblies, a single nanofiber has mechanical properties that directly govern the macroscopic mechanical behavior of the material system. Therefore, precise characterization and enhancement of the mechanical strength of a single nanofiber are of great significance. This paper provides a systematic review of the mechanical behavior of single nanofibers, including preparation methods for single nanofiber samples, key mechanical characterization techniques, and various strengthening strategies for both organic and inorganic nanofibers. Focusing on single-fiber mechanics, this review elucidates the major scientific challenges and bottlenecks currently faced in characterization and strengthening, offering constructive insights for the development of next-generation nanofiber materials with enhanced mechanical performance.