Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kefiran Nanofibers Membrane Using Electrospinning

Abstract

The Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofiber membrane was successfully fabricated for the first<br />time using electrospinning of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Kefirane blend solution. Scanning<br />electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR<br />FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the electrospun<br />Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane fiber membranes. Similar analysis was done for polyvinyl alcohol<br />nanofibers. Then, the results were compared with each other. Rheological behavior of the Poly<br />(vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane solution was evaluated using a cone and plate rheometer. The flow<br />curves of 6% Kefiran solution and Poly (vinyl alcohol)//Kefiran blend solution showed sufficient<br />viscosity for electrospinning. Viscosity decreased as the shear rate has increased in two samples,<br />with both demonstrating shears thinning behavior. Electrospinnability of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/<br />Kefiran solution at different process conditions and Kefiran concentrations was studied. Scanning<br />electron microscope analysis exhibited that diameter of polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers increased<br />with increasing Kefiran. Increasing the Kefiran concentration to 6% led to the disappearance of<br />nodes in nanofibers. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that<br />Kefiran has maintained its molecular structure during the electrospinning process. Differential<br />scanning calorimetry of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofibers revealed lower melting point<br />than polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers.