An investigation of factors affecting the electrospinning of poly (vinyl alcohol)/kefiran composite nanofibers

Abstract

Graphical abstract This study aimed to investigate parameters affecting the electrospinning of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/kefiran composite nanofibers. Accordingly, PVA/kefiran composite nanofibers were produced using the electrospinning of PVA, kefiran blend solutions under various electrospinning parameters (such as applied voltage, nozzle-to-collector distance, and polymer injection rate), and solution parameters (such as the ratio of polymers). PVA and kefiran solutions were prepared in 8% and 6% w/w, respectively. Kefiran was blended with PVA solution in different proportions: 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, and 30:70. According to the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, kefiran mixed with PVA in 40:60 ratios produced the best result in nanofiber production. Then, device parameters such as voltage (12, 15, 18, and 20 kV), distance (120, 150, 170, and 200 mm), and polymer injection rates (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mL/h) were changed. The investigation of SEM images showed that the optimal condition for the fabrication of nanofibers was 18 kV, 200 mm, and 1 mL/h. The nanofibers produced in the optimal condition were uniform without knots or adhesion in a small diameter. It was also found that concentration can be regarded as the most effective parameter affecting the diameter of nanofibers. Moreover, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image proved that phase separation did not occur between the two polymers. Kefiran biopolymer extracted from fermented milk was used in fabrication of PVA/kefiran composite nanofibers using the electrospinning method.

Hybrid Films Prepared from a Combination of Electrospinning and Casting for Offering a Dual-Phase Drug Release

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A Review on Electrospun Poly(amino acid) Nanofibers and Their Applications of Hemostasis and Wound Healing

“…The nature of the spinning solution itself includes the molecular weight of the polymer, molecular structure, the nature of the solvent, the viscosity of the spinning solution, electrical conductivity, etc. [ 80 , 81 , 82 ], as shown in Table 1 . The molecular weight of the polymer largely affects the viscosity and rheological properties of the polymer, which is intuitively reflected in the diameter of the nanofibers; generally speaking, the higher the molecular weight of the polymer, the larger the diameter of the nanofibers.…”

Electrospun Core (HPMC–Acetaminophen)–Shell (PVP–Sucralose) Nanohybrids for Rapid Drug Delivery

“…The popularity of this interdisciplinary field is due to the usefulness of cellulose derivatives and the ease of the preparation of nanofibers using electrospinning [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. A single-step and straightforward operation of electrospinning on a co-dissolving solution of a cellulose derivative and a drug can bring out medicated nanoproducts with unique properties for targeted applications, which have been demonstrated in many investigations [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. What is more, the fast developments of electrospinning in the following three directions have further produced more and more cellulose-based, medicated products in the forms of composites or hybrids.…”