Coaxial electrospun poly(lactic acid)/chitosan (core/shell) composite nanofibers and their antibacterial activity

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2011-10, Vol.86 (4), p.1799-1806
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thuy Thi Thu, Chung, Ok Hee, Park, Jun Seo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial; antibacterial properties; Applied sciences; biodegradability; Chitosan; Coaxial electrospinning; contact angle; Escherichia coli; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; filtration; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; molecular weight; Nanofibers; Poly(lactic acid); polylactic acid; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; transmission electron microscopy; viscosity
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.07.014

► The electrospinning of CS has been a challenge because of its high viscosity in solution and its polycationic possession. ► The coaxial electrospinning method was able to facilitate the fabrication of double-layer PLA/CS nanofibers by employing PLA and CS in the core and shell part, respectively. ► The complete core/shell structure of the PLA/CS nanofibers were obtained at shell and core feed rates of 5μL/min and less than 2μL/min, respectively. ► The fabricated core/shell nanofibers showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Biodegradable non-woven mats of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and chitosan (CS) were fabricated by the coaxial electrospinning process. These non-woven mats are composed of PLA/CS core/shell composite nanofibers, in which PLA and CS form the core and shell layers, respectively. CS of high molecular weight could not be electrospun on its own because of its high viscosity in solution and its polycationic possession. The coaxial electrospinning method was able to facilitate the fabrication of double-layer PLA/CS composite nanofibers by employing a PLA layer in the core and a CS layer in the shell part. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies and contact-angle measurements indicated the core/shell structure of the composite nanofibers fabricated with shell and core feed rates of 5μL/min and less than 2μL/min, respectively. The PLA/CS core/shell composite nanofibers showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli; hence it can be used as antibacterial materials in fields such as biomedical and filtration areas.