Electrospun PVA Research Articles

Biocompatibility of electrospun PVA-based nanocomposite with chemical vapor deposition-derived graphene monolayer

The biocompatibility of electrospun PVA with monolayer graphene obtained by chemical vapor deposition (PVA/CVD-grown MLG) nanocomposite was investigated. The properties of PVA/CVD-grown MLG nanocomposite were compared with those of electrospun PVA mat. Raman analysis confirmed the presence of graphene monolayer on PVA. Although no significant changes in tensile properties were observed, the electrical conductivity increased from 0.1 (PVA mat) to 0.4 μS/cm (PVA/CVD-grown MLG). Thermal stability was also increased, as evidenced by the higher onset temperature and temperature of maximum decomposition rate determined by TGA. The contact angle decreased slightly, which resulted in higher PBS absorption and degradation of the nanocomposite. Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) decreased from 40 (PVA mat) to 37 g/m2 h (PVA/CVD-grown MLG). Cell culture studies showed better cell viability, population, and growth in the case of PVA/CVD-grown MLG nanocomposite due to improved physical, chemical and mechanical properties.

Correction to “Facile Synthesis of ZIF-67-Incorporated Electrospun PVA Nanofibers Composite for Efficient Pb(II) Adsorption from Water: Docking and Experimental Studies”

Correction to “Facile Synthesis of ZIF-67-Incorporated Electrospun PVA Nanofibers Composite for Efficient Pb(II) Adsorption from Water: Docking and Experimental Studies”

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Thymus vulgaris and Sambucus nigra extracts in poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofiber matrix: In vitro evaluation

In the current study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) green synthesized from Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) and Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) (BE) extracts and added into poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution to achieve antibacterial, biocompatible, and bioactive nanofibers through electrospinning technique. The absorbance peaks of AgNPs were found at 450 nm in the ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectrum, and AgNPs were found in (111) d-spacing in high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The average particle sizes were measured as 66.30 ± 7.70 nm and 20.03 ± 4.80 nm for ThymeAgNPs and BEAgNPs, respectively. 1 and 2 wt% content of the AgNPs were added into the PVA solution and electrospun at 9 kV voltage and 5 ml/hr flow rate. The fiber morphologies were investigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and HRTEM, and a decrease in the fiber diameter and the porosity of the fibers was obviously observed. Chemical bond analysis was done using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and the thermal behavior of the fiber was examined with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and HRTEM provide the presence of AgNPs in PVA nanofibers. According to antibacterial activity investigations the inhibition growth effect against Escherichia coli (E. coli) of PVA/ThymeAgNPs was 11.6 % higher than that of PVA/BEAgNPs. The cell cytotoxicity tests at different concentrations with L929 cells revealed better performance in PVA/Thyme nanofibers.

Facile Synthesis of ZIF-67-Incorporated Electrospun PVA Nanofibers Composite for Efficient Pb (II) Adsorption from Water: Docking and Experimental Studies

Facile Synthesis of ZIF-67-Incorporated Electrospun PVA Nanofibers Composite for Efficient Pb (II) Adsorption from Water: Docking and Experimental Studies

Electrospun nanofibers incorporating lactobionic acid as novel active packaging materials: biological activities and toxicological evaluation

In this study, lactobionic acid (LBA) was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) by electrospinning. The antimicrobial effects of the nanofibers were tested using the agar diffusion method. Only the PVA formulations showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The PVA and PCL nanofibers containing LBA showed antioxidant activity ranging from 690.33 to 798.67 µM TEAC when tested by the ABTS method. The characterization of nanofibers was performed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical analysis. The nanofibers showed a uniform morphology and their average diameters ranged from 295.5 to 2778.2 nm. The LBA addition induced a decrease in the enthalpy of fusion (ΔHm) of PVA and PCL nanofibers, while the Young’s modulus was reduced from 20 to 10 MPa in PCL and PCL-LBA nanofibers, respectively. No relevant differences were observed between the FTIR spectra of the control nanofibers and the nanofibers containing LBA. All nanofibers presented hemolysis rate below 2%, thus can be considered as non-hemolytic materials. Further toxicological assessment was performed with the selected formulation PVA10 + LBA. The evaluations by mutagenicity assay, cell survival measurement, cell viability analysis and agar diffusion cytotoxicity test indicated that there are no significant toxic effects. Electrospun nanofibers PVA-LBA and PCL-LBA were successfully produced, showing good thermal and mechanical properties and non-toxic effects. Furthermore, the nanofibers showed antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity. The findings of this study indicate that PVA and PCL electrospun nanofibers incorporating LBA are promising for use in packaging applications.

Multi-hierarchical assemble nano-fibrous dressing for burn wound ultra-fast healing with dynamical exudate regulation, thermal management, and non-leaching sterilisation

To endow the nano-fibrous wound dressing with moisture-absorption, moisture-retention, thermal-management and anti-bacterial performances, a multi-hierarchical assemble process including electro-micro-encapsulation, electro-interpenetration and electro-deposition was used to create a structural integration including core–shell structure, interpenetrated structure and in-situ coating. First, a phase-transition thermal-management electro-spun consisting of PVDF shell and n-hexadecane core was fabricated from the coaxial electro-spinning, the heat-absorbing effect from n-hexadecane melting offers a cool feeling to make burn wounds feel comfortable. Second, an interpenetration process between PVA electro-spun and PVDF@n-hexadecane core–shell electro-spun was carried out by a heterologous co-electro-spinning device. By regulating the area density and the continuity of the hydrophilic phase and hydrophobic phase as well, the moisture-absorption and the moisture-retention performances can be manipulated. Third, a nano-capsule consisting of PCL outer shell and dual-component anti-bacterial agents as core was obtained from coaxial electrospray and then was further electro-deposited on the surface of the obtained interpenetrated membrane. After the melting of the PCL outer shell, not only the in-situ immobilization of anti-bacterial particles on the membrane surface (non-leaching sterilisation) was carried out, but also the exposure of anti-bacterial components. Owing to the collaborative integration of multiple functional ingredients and various structural elements, this composite nano-fibrous dressing displays a good moisture-absorption performance for removing exudate, a desired moisture-retention performance for offering wet surrounding to promote tissue regeneration, a comfortable absorption-heat effect and an excellent anti-bacterial performance. Combined with cytotoxicity and animal experiment evaluations, this multi-functional dressing presents a quicker healing period for second-degree burn compared to existed commercial fibrous dressing.

Two-dimensional (2D) MoS2-nanosheet (NS) incorporated within electrospun PVA nanofibers: Fabrication and characterization study

In this study, with the help of grinding and sonication, the bulk state of molybdenum disulfide was transformed into a two-dimensional sheet, and composite nanofiber consisting of molybdenum disulfide MoS2/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been successfully developed via electrospinning process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed the preferred orientation along the (002) plan of The MoS2 nanosheet. Rietveld refinement was applied to obtain the microstructure parameters of the MoS2. The formation of S-S and Mo-S bonds in MoS2 was confirmed by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FE-SEM images reveal the surface morphology of MoS2 nanosheets, which typically exhibit a flat and layered structure resembling stacked atomic layers of MoS2 two-dimensional nature.In contrast, the MoS2/PVA fibers display a uniform, interconnected nanofiber network with a distinct random formation. Also, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) images show the formation of the uniform MoS2/PVA nanofibers, and the evaluated root mean square (RMS) roughness values for PVA and MoS2/PVA fibers are 250 nm and 277 nm, respectively. To elucidate the elemental composition of the MoS2 nanofibers, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was performed, confirming the presence of molybdenum and sulfur in the compound. Finally, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was applied to study the optical properties of the MoS2/PVA composite. In addition, the measurement of the contact angle shows that the surface of the nanofibers is hydrophilic, and the amount of hydrophilicity decreases by adding MoS2 nanosheets.

The synergic effect of nanosecond fiber laser and drug-loaded electrospun PVA coating on metallurgical and biological characteristics of Ti-6Al-4 V alloy

Nowadays, titanium-based implants are widely used to replace damaged or missing body organs. Poor chemical bonding with the bone and infection caused by formation of biofilm on the implant surface are the most common problems with them. So, antibacterial properties and osteoblast adhesion improvement have been intended to address these issues. The aim of this research is cell adhesion improvement and prevention of bacterial infection using surface roughness and in-situ antibiotic drug release. Here, micromachining (nanoseconds) laser with a groove distance of 10, 30, and 50 µm, was used to surface modification. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), hardness, roughness, and wettability tests were used for physical and metallurgical characterization of surface-modified samples to find the optimum laser processing conditions. Roughness has increased as a result of laser surface modification and surface characteristics of alloy exhibit sensitivity to the groove distance. The lower groove distance indicated the higher roughness and wettability. Martensite phase, α phase, and, Ti3Al were observed in the fusion zone. Also, the dissolution of the beta phase has occurred in the fusion and the heat-affected zones. No oxidation was observed. All these occurred without any change in bulk. Then optimized sample surfaces were coated by the vancomycin-loaded polyvinyl alcohol solution using electrospinning process, and toxicity, cell adhesion, and drug release rate were evaluated. The results showed laser surface modification and coating did not hurt cell viability. Modified samples demonstrated high cell adhesion and improvement in drug release compared to the unmodified samples. The drug release rate was extended from 4 h to 25 h for modified samples. So, the modified implants could indicate a sustained release of antibiotics as well.

Fabrication of Air Conditioning Antimicrobial Filter for Electrically Powered Port Tractors via Electrospinning Coating

With the stricter emission regulations for internal combustion engines, electric vehicles, including electrically powered port tractors, have received increasing attention. However, currently, most of the filters used in electric vehicles are conventional membranes that only have the function of filtering particles and foreign objects. Therefore, in order to improve the above issues, the surface of commercial non-woven filter membranes was coated with Ag nanopowder nanofibers and AgNO3 nanofibers via electrospinning. At present, the comparative research on the antibacterial ability of Ag nanopowder and AgNO3 is still blank in the same research system, especially with the use of electrospun coating technology. The morphologies and structures of non-woven fabrics and electrospinning coated samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characterization results indicate that both pure PVA and PVA composite fibers can be successfully coated on the surface of non-woven fabrics. The average diameter of all electrospun PVA composite fibers is distributed in the range of 470–700 nm. The PVA nanofibers with a low content of 1 wt% AgNO3 have good antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with clearance clear zones of inhibition of 26.00 mm and 17.30 mm, respectively.

Development of PVA Electrospun Nanofibers for Fabrication of Bacteriological Swabs.

In recent years, the enormous demand for swabs for clinical use has promoted their relevance and, consequently, brought the environmental issues due to their single use and lack of biodegradability to the attention of the healthcare industry. Swabs consist of a stick that facilitates their easy handling and manoeuvrability even in complex districts and an absorbent tip designed to uptake and release biological samples. In this study, we focused on the fabrication of an innovative biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofiber swab tip using the electrospinning technique. The innovative swab tip obtained showed comparable uptake and release capacity of protein and bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) with those of the commercial foam-type swab. In this way, the obtained swab can be attractive and suitable to fit into this panorama due to its low-cost process, easy scalability, and good uptake and release capabilities.

Electrospun PVA nanofiber mat for topical Deflazacort delivery: accentuated anti-inflammatory efficacy for wound healing

Purpose Asses the wound healing activity of Polyvinyl alcohol – Deflazacort (PVA-DEF) nanofibers mats synthesized by electrospinning technology. Methods PVA-DEF nanofiber mats were created with various PVA polymer concentrations using an electrospinning process. The morphological features and diameter of the electrospun nanofibrous mats were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro DEF release rate from PVA electrospun nanofibrous mats was evaluated. In addition to assessing wound healing activity in vivo, histological, and immunochemical tests were conducted. Results Results revealed a uniform and smooth surface of the fiber with an average diameter of the selected fibers of 533.9 nm ± 45.83. Also, PVA electrospun nanofiber mats showed an initial burst release of more than 50% of the DEF in 1 h, and the rest of the DEF was released gradually for up to 480 min. Fickian diffusion is the main DEF release mechanism from PVA electrospun nanofiber mats. In male Wistar albino rats with 1 cm2 excision wounds, in vivo studies revealed a significant improvement in wound healing rate via modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Conclusion PVA-DEF nanofiber mats can be used effectively for improving wound healing.

Processability of Thermoelectric Ultrafine Fibers via Electrospinning for Wearable Electronics.

Polymer-based thermoelectric generators hold great appeal in the realm of wearable electronics as they enable the utilization of body heat for power generation. Fibers produced from conducting polymers for use in thermoelectric generators have high porosity and good flexibility, providing comfort-based performance advantages over thin films for wearable electronics. Some fiber processing techniques have been explored to produce textile-based thermoelectric generators; however, they fail to approach the conductivities of polymeric thin films. Ultrafine fibers solution processed through electrospinning yield fiber diameters on the nanoscale, allowing for high surface area to volume ratios and thus low thermal conductivity; however, a number of processing challenges in electrospinning conducting polymers limit the success of preparing high performing thermoelectric textiles. In this work, the specific processing challenges inherent to electrospinning conducting polymers are addressed for both n- and p-type materials. For the p-type polymer, 63 wt % PEDOT:PSS fibers are fabricated through solution formulation improvements yielding a conductivity of 3 S/cm and a power factor of 0.1 μW/mK2. The first of their kind n-type poly(NiETT)/PVA electrospun fibers were created yielding a conductivity of 0.11 S/cm and a power factor of 0.0036 μW/mK2. These nonwoven ultrafine fiber mats show progress toward achieving textile-based thermoelectric materials with equivalent performance of comparable polymeric thin films. This work shows the feasibility of creating ultrafine fibers for use in thermoelectric generators through electrospinning including the first demonstration of poly(NiETT)/PVA fibers.

Synthesis of 1D boron trioxide nanorods via heat treatment of electrospun PVA nanofibers decorated with amorphous boron

Boron trioxide has the highest boron ratio among boron compounds, which is crucial in many applications. In this study, B2O3 was produced for the first time to date in nanorod morphology to facilitate use of one-dimensional (1D) B2O3 compounds. The high solubility renders the use of solution-based methods ineffective for the directional growth of B2O3 crystals; therefore, electrospinning was utilized to produce boron-reinforced PVA nanofibers, which were used as precursors for directional growth of B2O3 nanostructures. Nanofibers were annealed to facilitate the growth of square cross-sectional nanorods with a size of less than 100 nm. Synthesized nanorods could produce novel coatings, composites, and high-sensitivity sensors.

Thermo-mechanical performance of nanostructured electrospun composites produced from poly(vinyl alcohol) and cellulosic compounds for potential uses as wound dressings

The purpose of this research was to analyze the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based electrospun mats reinforced with cellulose acetate (CA) or cellulose nanocrystalline (CNC) for potential applications in wound dressings. Bead-free and water-stable electrospun nanofibers made of blends of PVA and CA or CNC were successfully produced and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde vapor. Crosslinking slightly increased the nanofibers' diameters in order of 43 and 13% for 80/20 PVA/CA and PVA/CNC electrospun mats, respectively, while maintaining their bead-free morphology. Thermogravimetry (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) evaluations were employed to determine the miscibility and the thermal response of the uncrosslinked and crosslinked mats, reporting a reduction in mass loss upon addition of CA and CNC and upon crosslinking process. Polymers' powder and mats (before and after crosslinking) crystallinity was assessed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Crosslinked mats experienced a slight reduction in crystallinity compared to the uncrosslinked. Static and dynamic tensile strength tests revealed that CA and CNC doped mats enhanced the Young's modulus and lowered deformation at failure compared to pristine PVA electrospun mats. Data from storage modulus (E′) demonstrated the strength of the physical interactions formed between PVA and the cellulosic derivatives (either before and after crosslinking), highlighting the stiffness of CA (231.58 MPa for the 80/20 mat) and, particularly, CNC (742.04 MPa for the 80/20 mat). This research uncovered important information concerning the chemical and physical relation between polymeric matrices and additives, essential for the proper selection of materials for wound dressings production.

Fabrication of physically crosslink Levan-lsbl-bk1/PVA electrospun nanofiber

The failure to synthesise levan fiber with mechanical properties that match those of soft tissue requires an exploration into its fabrication. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol was used as a fiber-forming polymer for levan-lsbl-bk1 to produce fine electrospun fibers with the desired properties. The resulting fibers were physically crosslinked through heat treatment to improve their water resistance, and their chemical characteristics, crystallinity, morphology, and mechanical properties were identified. The diameters of the fibers ranged from 194±10–343±7 nm, with changes to the levan concentration affecting the fiber diameter and crystallinity. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the fibers decreased as the diameter increased, and the elastic modulus increased with increases in the crystallinity. The biocompatibility of the fibers was evaluated by analysing their effects on HepG2 cells since their elastic modulus of 12.7 MPa matched that of liver tissue. The use of the fiber resulted in an increase in HepG2 cell viability up to 158.8% on the first day and 215.5% on the second day compared to the controls.

Fabrication, Physical-Chemical and Biological Characterization of Retinol-Loaded Poly(vinyl Alcohol) Electrospun Fiber Mats for Wound Healing Applications.

Nowadays, there exists a huge interest in producing innovative, high-performance, biofunctional, and cost-efficient electrospun biomaterials based on the association of biocompatible polymers with bioactive molecules. Such materials are well-known to be promising candidates for three-dimensional biomimetic systems for wound healing applications because they can mimic the native skin microenvironment; however, many open questions such as the interaction mechanism between the skin and the wound dressing material remain unclear. Recently, several biomolecules were intended for use in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber mats to improve their biological response; nevertheless, retinol, an important biomolecule, has not been combined yet with PVA to produce tailored and biofunctional fiber mats. Based on the abovementioned concept, the present work reported the fabrication of retinol-loaded PVA electrospun fiber mats (RPFM) with a variable content of retinol (0 ≤ Ret ≤ 25 wt.%), and their physical-chemical and biological characterization. SEM results showed that fiber mats exhibited diameters distribution ranging from 150 to 225 nm and their mechanical properties were affected with the increasing of retinol concentrations. In addition, fiber mats were able to release up to 87% of the retinol depending on both the time and the initial content of retinol. The cell culture results using primary mesenchymal stem cell cultures proved the biocompatibility of RPFM as confirmed by their effects on cytotoxicity (low level) and proliferation (high rate) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the wound healing assay suggested that the optimal RPFM with retinol content of 6.25 wt.% (RPFM-1) enhanced the cell migratory activity without altering its morphology. Accordingly, it is demonstrated that the fabricated RPFM with retinol content below the threshold 0 ≤ Ret ≤ 6.25 wt.% would be an appropriate system for skin regenerative application.

Dressings produced from PVA nanofibers containing chloramphenicol

In this study, electrospun PVA membranes crosslinked with citric acid or glutaraldehyde and containing the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CLF) were obtained for the production of dressings. This material was characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA NMR, degree of swelling, and solubility. The SEM images showed the possibility of obtaining nanofibers with a diameter between 600 and 700 nm. Crosslinking with citric acid (3% m/m) was the only one able to give stability to PVA fibers in water and preserve their morphology. The stability of PVA fibers in water was associated with a decrease in OH groups in PVA and an increase in crystallinity, both effects promoted by crosslinking. The increase in crystallinity due to crosslinking was observed by DSC, DRX, and FTIR analyses. A linear correlation was found between the increase in enthalpy of fusion and the increase in crystallinity. The FTIR analysis confirmed the incorporation of the drug into the fibers. The results of TGA analysis suggested that the presence of basic groups in the CLF molecule may act as proton receptors delaying the first stage of thermal degradation of the polymer. The absence of CLF-related peaks in the X-ray diffractograms and DSC curves suggests that the drug may be in an amorphous state, which improves the solubility of CLF and facilitates its immediate release, making the drug more bioavailable. The mechanism of CLF release indicated that the kinetics follows the typical Weibull model for matrix systems, showing an immediate release in the first 30 min. The membranes exhibited hemotoxicity below the limit established by ASTM F756–08. In addition, the disk diffusion tests showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. aeruginosa strains, indicating that these membranes are promising for use in wound dressings with anti-infective biological activity.

Carbonic Anhydrase-Embedded ZIF-8 Electrospun PVA Fibers as an Excellent Biocatalyst Candidate.

There is a growing concern that the increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to a potential negative impact on global climate change. To deal with this problem, developing a set of innovative, practical technologies is essential. In the present study, maximizing the CO2 utilization and precipitation as CaCO3 was evaluated. In this manner, bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) was embedded into the microporous zeolite imidazolate framework, ZIF-8, via physical absorption and encapsulation. Running as crystal seeds, these nanocomposites (enzyme-embedded MOFs) were in situ grown on the cross-linked electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (CPVA). The prepared composites displayed much higher stability against denaturants, high temperatures, and acidic media than free BCA, and BCA immobilized into or on ZIF-8. During 37 days of storage period study, BCA@ZIF-8/CPVA and BCA/ZIF-8/CPVA maintained more than 99 and 75% of their initial activity, respectively. The composition of BCA@ZIF-8 and BCA/ZIF-8 with CPVA improved stability for consecutive usage in recovery reactions, recycling easiness, and greater control over the catalytic process. The amounts of calcium carbonate obtained by one mg each of fresh BCA@ZIF-8/CPVA and BCA/ZIF-8/CPVA were 55.45 and 49.15 mg, respectively. The precipitated calcium carbonate by BCA@ZIF-8/CPVA reached 64.8% of the initial run, while this amount was 43.6% for BCA/ZIF-8/CPVA after eight cycles. These results indicated that the BCA@ZIF-8/CPVA and BCA/ZIF-8/CPVA fibers could be efficiently applied to CO2 sequestration.

Eco-friendly PVA-LYS fibers for gold nanoparticle recovery from water and their catalytic performance.

In this work, we grafted lysine on PVA electrospun fibers, using a green preparation technique. The resulting fiber mats were proposed for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) removal from water. The efficiency of three fibers with different lysine amounts (10, 20, and 30%) was investigated. The incorporation of amino groups in PVA fibers was firstly proved by FTIR, SEM, and elemental analysis, confirming the presence of lysine. Among the three different fibers, PVA-LYS 30% has shown the best removal efficiency, reaching 65%, at pH equal to 5. Adsorption isotherms were studied and showed that the Langmuir model is the best model fitting our experimental results, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 20.1mgg-1. Metal-ligand interactions and electrostatic attraction between protonated amino groups of lysine on the fibers and negatively charged, citrate capped, AuNPs are the main proposed mechanisms for AuNP adsorption on the fibers. Sustainability of AuNPs adsorbed on these fibers has been checked through their reuse as catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The process was completed within 60min, and their reusability showed more than 99% efficiency after 5 reduction cycles. Our results prove that green PVA-LYS fibers can extract nanoparticles from water, as low cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbent, and contribute to the promotion of a circular economy approach, through their reuse as catalyst in the reduction of pollutants.

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Silk Fibroin/Ag-NPs Composite Nanofibers as a Substrate for MG-63 Cells' Growth.

Nanofiber scaffolds of polyvinyl alcohol, silk fibroin from Bombyx mori cocoons, and silver nanoparticles were developed as a substrate for MG-63 growth. The fiber morphology, mechanical properties, thermal degradation, chemical composition, and water contact angle were investigated. In vitro tests were performed by the cell viability MTS test of MG-63 cells on electrospun PVA scaffolds, mineralization was analyzed by alizarin red, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay was evaluated. At higher PVA concentrations, Young's modulus (E) increased. The addition of fibroin and silver nanoparticles improved the thermal stability of PVA scaffolds. FTIR spectra indicated characteristic absorption peaks related to the chemical structures of PVA, fibroin, and Ag-NPs, demonstrating good interactions between them. The contact angle of the PVA scaffolds decreased with the incorporation of fibroin and showed hydrophilic characteristics. In all concentrations, MG-63 cells on PVA/fibroin/Ag-NPs scaffolds had higher cell viability than PVA pristine. On day ten of culture, PVA18/SF/Ag-NPs showed the highest mineralization, observed by the alizarin red test. PVA10/SF/Ag-NPs presented the highest alkaline phosphatase activity after an incubation time of 37 h. The achievements indicate the potential of the nanofibers of PVA18/SF/Ag-NPs as a possible substitute for bone tissue engineering (BTE).