Solution blowing of chitosan/PVA hydrogel nanofiber mats

Both nanofiber mats and hydrogel have their own advantages in wound healing. In this study, a novel hydrogel nanofiber mats were fabricated via solution blowing of chitosan and PVA solution, with various content of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as cross-linker. SEM observation showed that the fibers were several hundred nanometers in diameter with smooth surface and distributed randomly forming three-dimensional mats. The structure of the chitosan/PVA nanofibers was examined by FTIR and XPS, and the results showed that the cross-linking reaction occurred between EGDE and the hydroxyl groups. The mats could quickly hydrate in an aqueous environment to form hydrogel. Their value of equilibrate water absorption varied from 680 to 459% various content of EGDE. The nanofiber mats showed good bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli. The chitosan/PVA hydrogel nanofiber mats showed the combination advantages of nanofibrous mats and hydrogel dressing, and were suggested as potential application in wound healing. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.