The mineralization of electrospun chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous membranes

Based on the principles of biomineralization, a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and chitosan composite membrane was prepared by mineralized of calcium carbonate on chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers under dynamic condition. The morphology and structure of membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers produced thin CaCO3 island crystals, which interlaced with the chitosan fiber not only on the surface of the membrane but also within the membrane. The crystals could develop into a continuous CaCO3 membrane on the fibers at latter stage of mineralization, the obtained crystals was mainly calcite type of CaCO3, and with small quantity of vaterite. MTT test and SEM imaging indicated that the attachment and growth of mouse fibroblast were well on the surface of CaCO3/chitosan/PVA composite membrane, and this composite has a good application prospect in the field of biomedical materials. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.