Blend composition effect on the diameter of electrospun chitosan (CHT)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibers

This work reports how the different ratios of chitosan (CHT) and (PEO), the needle-to-collector distance, and the voltage of the applied potential affected the diameter of the fibers. The results suggested that the experimental conditions fell within an instability region, not following theoretical behaviors. However, the statistical analysis provided information regarding which conditions were statistically equal and which ones were different at 95%. The best condition was a CHT/PEO ratio of 80/20, a distance of 20 cm, and a voltage of 20 kV. These electrospun nanofibers had a smooth and homogeneous surface and a diameter of (320 & PLUSMN; 8) nm. The incorporation of neomycin sulfate (NS) led to rough and clustered fibers due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the drug and the polymers. The crystallinity decreased from 0.82 (CHT/PEO 80/20) to 0.13 (CHT/PEO 80/20-NS) con-firming the absorption of the drug. The CHT/PEO 80/20-NS displayed improved antimicrobial activity, and the controlled release assay indicated a two-stage release profile attractive for the treatment of skin wounds, releasing higher amounts at first, and sustaining the release for 4 h. These nanofibrous mats would be potentially suitable for wound dressing purposes.