Electrospinning and functionalization of cellulose acetate nanofibre

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the electrospinning behaviour of cellulose acetate (CA) in different solvents and its subsequent modification and functionalization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) to render it as a potential wound dressing material. As the process of electrospinning and the corresponding fibre properties are primarily governed by the solvents used, a systematic study of the selection of solvent systems using the solubility parameters of Hildebrand and Hansen along with a Teas chart for a particular polymer is essential for the better optimization of the process. It appeared from the Teas chart that higher dispersion force (fd) and lower hydrogen bonding force (fh) are convenient for both the solubility and spinnability of CA in single solvent of acetone and binary solvent of 2:1 acetone/N ,N -dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The surface properties of CA fibres were roughened by adding PEG which improved swelling behaviour and would assist in rapid cell attachment during wound healing. Moreover, the presence of PEG stabilized the silver nanoparticles which displayed efficient antibacterial traits when tested against E.coli and S.aureus.