Preparation of Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol/Nanocellulose Composite Film and Evaluation of Its Biomedical Performance.

Xinbin Ji,Yuanfa Liu,Yi Xu,Xin Zhang,Fucheng Guan,Qiang Yang,Jing Guo

doi:10.3390/gels7040223

Abstract

Using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and nanocellulose (NC) as raw materials, PVA/NC nanofiber membranes were prepared by electrospinning. The hydrogen bonding, crystalline properties and microscopic appearance of PVA/NC membranes with different NC contents were characterized. The mechanical properties, liquid absorption and cytotoxicity of the nanofiber membrane were evaluated. The results show that the free hydroxyl group of the PVA/NC nanofiber membranes have a maximum value of 9% at a mass fraction of 6% NC. The crystallinity of the PVA/NC nanofiber membranes and the average diameter of the nanofibers decreased and then increased as the NC content increased, with a minimum value of 38.23% and 272.03 nm, respectively, at 6% NC content. At this time, the contact angle was the smallest. The maximum strength of the PVA/NC nanofiber membranes is 75.8% higher than that of the PVA membrane at 2% NC content. With increasing NC content, the absorption of water, PBS sustained-release suspensions and artificial blood by PVA/NC nanofiber membranes increases. Cytotoxicity tests have shown that PVA/NC nanofiber membranes are non-toxic, have good cytocompatibility and are expected to be used in the field of medical dressings.

Highlights

As the largest organ of the body, the skin is the body’s first barrier of defense, which plays an important role in controlling the body’s temperature and protecting the many capillaries and nerves inside the body [1]
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/NC nanofiber membranes were prepared by electrostatic spinning with fiber diameters ranging from 150 to 450 nm, and the smallest average fiber diameter of 272.03 nm at an NC mass fraction of 6%
With the addition of NC, the PVA/NC membranes showed a 75.8% increase in fracture strength, a reduction in contact angle and improved hydrophilicity compared to PVA membranes

Summary

Introduction

As the largest organ of the body, the skin is the body’s first barrier of defense, which plays an important role in controlling the body’s temperature and protecting the many capillaries and nerves inside the body [1]. Numerous requirements should be taken into account when designing and manufacturing the ideal dressing, such as adequate mechanical properties, non-toxicity, good hydrophilicity, excellent biocompatibility and ability to absorb wound exudate, etc. Lu et al, prepared PVA/EW membranes using 12% PVA solution compounded with egg white (EW) by electrostatic spinning and found the mechanical properties and crystallinity of the fibers were improved by using the co-blending cross-linking method [6]. Prepared PVA/EW nanofiber membranes had a uniform porous, smooth fiber structure and good biocompatibility, which could significantly promote cell proliferation, demonstrating the feasibility of PVA/EW composites to prepare fiber dressings for skin defect repair and regeneration. Zhang et al, prepared ultra-fine PVA/graphene oxide (GO) nanofiber scaffolds (PGNSs) by electrostatic spinning and found PGNSs containing 0.25% GO had good hydrophilicity and protein enrichment, which was suitable for the growth and adhesion of

Methods

Results

Conclusion