Characterization of the Properties of Chitosan Nanoparticles (CSNPs)/PEO Nanofibrous Membranes

Recent studies of chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibrous membranes have been developed for biomedical and filtration applications. However, they have predominantly utilized chitosan/PEO blend. The present work used the chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) adding to the PEO solution and made the CSNPs/PEO nanofiber membranes using the electrospinning method. This study investigated the morphology and tensile properties of the CSNPs/PEO membranes affecting by varying CSNPs concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.%) and PEO solvents (70 and 96% ethanol). The neat PEO membrane revealed a wrinkle-like structure on the membrane surface, but it gradually disappeared by CSNPs concentration. An increase in CSNPs concentration decreased the average fiber diameter and increased the tensile strength of the membrane. They demonstrated a similar pattern for PEO solvent with both ethanol concentrations. In summary, the addition of 1.0 wt.% CSNPs in PEO solution with 96% ethanol resulted in high strength of the CSNPs/PEO nanofiber membrane.