No abstract

Non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning. The nanofibers were prepared with the following weight composition ratios:100:0 (PVA homopolymer), 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30. To improve their antibacterial activity, the nanofibers were prepared with silver zeolite nanoparticles. The properties of the nanofibers at various blend ratios were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, moisture regain (%), and antibacterial activity. The prepared chitosan/PVA nanofibers containing silver zeolite nanoparticles showed good antibacterial activity and excellent moisture absorption ability.