Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kefiran Nanofibers Membrane Using Electrospinning

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Mina bagherian far ¹
• Hakimeh Ziyadi ²

¹ Department of nano Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University

² Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

The Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofiber membrane was successfully fabricated for the first
time using electrospinning of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Kefirane blend solution. Scanning
electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR
FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the electrospun
Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane fiber membranes. Similar analysis was done for polyvinyl alcohol
nanofibers. Then, the results were compared with each other. Rheological behavior of the Poly
(vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane solution was evaluated using a cone and plate rheometer. The flow
curves of 6% Kefiran solution and Poly (vinyl alcohol)//Kefiran blend solution showed sufficient
viscosity for electrospinning. Viscosity decreased as the shear rate has increased in two samples,
with both demonstrating shears thinning behavior. Electrospinnability of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/
Kefiran solution at different process conditions and Kefiran concentrations was studied. Scanning
electron microscope analysis exhibited that diameter of polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers increased
with increasing Kefiran. Increasing the Kefiran concentration to 6% led to the disappearance of
nodes in nanofibers. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that
Kefiran has maintained its molecular structure during the electrospinning process. Differential
scanning calorimetry of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofibers revealed lower melting point
than polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers.

Keywords

• poly vinyl alcohol
• Kefiran
• Electrospinning
• Nanofiber
• Membrane

Main Subjects

• Nanomedicine and NanoSafety

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