Effect of Chitosan on the Properties of Electrospun Fibers from Mixed Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan Solutions

Electrospun nanofibers were prepared from mixed solutions of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and medium molar mass chitosan (CS) at different solution compositions, at 15 and 20 kV. The mats were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the average diameters of nanofibers were determined. Three of these solutions were chosen for further studies, to elucidate the influence of CS on the mats properties. Electrospinning at 15 kV had a higher tendency to produce nanofibers free of defects, in which the diameters (157 to 189 nm) were not affected significantly by the total concentration and solution composition. Polymer interactions between the components were supported by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The effect of CS composition was evidenced by DMA and tensile tests techniques. Immersion in water led to the breakage of nanofibers and flower-like morphologies.