Non-woven mats of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan blends containing silver nanoparticles: Fabrication and characterization

Non-woven mats of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan (CS) blend (PVA/CS) and PVA/CS blends incorporated with silver (Ag) nanoparticles (Ag/PVA/CS) were fabricated by an electrospinning method. The electrospun fibers attained a beaded structure at PVA to CS weight ratios of up to 88/12. The addition of AgNO3 to the PVA/CS blend solution improved the electrospinnability. The morphology of the electrospun non-woven mats was observed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The formation of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the electrospun fibers was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy and by obtaining X-Ray Diffraction Spectra. The thermal properties of the polymer blends and the effect of the Ag nanoparticles on the crystallization of the polymer blends were examined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The mechanical properties of the PVA/CS blend non-woven mats were evaluated by tensile testing. Higher antibacterial activity was observed in the non-woven mats of Ag/PVA/CS blends than in those of PVA/CS blends.