Study of Electrospun Chitosan Nanofibrous Coated Webs

Abstract

Fabricated nanowebs are successfully coated with polypropylene spun bonded non-woven fabric with various coating density ranges from 0.25-1.2 gsm. This study describes an electrospinning coating process of pure Chitosan dissolved in TFA and DCM and its detailed characterizations. The optimal solution condition for electrospinning was studied and, thereby, the process was successfully established. The best optimal condition: 11 % Chitosan was successfully electrospun (superlative web structure) in the electric field of 75 KV, distance between spinning electrodes 135 mm and rotation of spinning electrode 5 rpm (throughput). Once it was determined the ideal condition for fabricating web thereafter under identical conditions electro coating process was done by varying collector speed. The resultant nanofibrous web was found to be uniformly coated having mean fiber diameter ranges from 1210-1221 nm. AFM microphotographs indicated the interconnected porous structure of the prepared Chitosan web. Fibrous break down at a solution concentration (2 & 5 %) was revealed by AFM and FESEM images. At higher concentration (14%) web spinability was poor in the form of lumps deposition. Morphology of spun web was greatly influenced by coating density. Thus, these nanofibrous coated membranes have great potential for using as a layer for developing futuristic antimicrobial, biomedical and filtration clothing. Moreover, the developed coated web has a significantly higher production rate (approx 0.25 g/m2min) is potential for commercial viability and could be translated into bulk production.