Intermolecular interactions in electrospun collagen-chitosan complex nanofibers

The collagen-chitosan complex nanofibers have been prepared here by electrospinning. Intermolecular interactions in electrospun collagen-chitosan complex fibers have been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the mechanical measurements of single ultratine fiber. It was found that the -OH group, the -NH2 group and the amide 1, 11 and III characteristic absorption bands in FT-IR spectra of electrospun collagen and chitosan blends were shifted and modified with the difference of chitosan content in electrospun fibers. DSC measurements showed the existence of intermolecular interactions enthalpy between collagen and chitosan of electrospun fibers. The mechanical measurements of single nanofiber showed that intermolecular interactions varied with various chitosan content in electrospun fibers. The results have shown that intermoleculars interactions exist in electrospun collagen-chitosan complex fibers. These interactions make collagen and chitosan be miscible at the molecular level. Electrospinning of collagen and chitosan blends may give the possibility of producing new materials for potential biomedical applications. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.