Porous electrospun nanocomposite mats based on chitosan–cellulose nanocrystals for wound dressing: effect of surface characteristics of nanocrystals

Abstract

Randomly oriented fiber mats of chitosanpolyethylene oxide matrix reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared by electrospinning technique. The cellulose nanocrystals used were isolated using hydrochloric acid (CNC HCl ) or sulphuric acid (CNC H 2 SO 4 ) and the concentration of CNCs was 50 wt% in the electrospun mats. The surface characteristics of the nanocrystals were found to affect the dispersion, viscosity, conductivity and zetapotential of the respective spinning solutions and resulted in better spinnability, homogeneity as well as crosslinking of CNC HCl based nanocomposite fiber mats compared to CNC H 2 SO 4 ones. The microscopy studies showed that the diameter of the electrospun fibers decreased with the inclusion of both types of nanocrystals and that crosslinking decreased the porosity of the mats. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the mats increased with the addition of nanocrystals and increased further for the CNC HCl based mats (58 MPa, 3.1 GPa) after crosslinking. The as-spun CNC HCl based mats had average pore diameters of 1.6 lm and porosity of 38 %. The water vapor permeability and the O 2 /CO 2 transmission increased with the addition of CNC HCl . The used nanocrystals as well as electrospun mats showed noncytotoxic impact on adipose derived stem cells (ASCs), which was considered favorable for wound dressing.

3-Dimensional porous nanocomposite scaffolds based on cellulose nanofibers for cartilage tissue engineering: tailoring of porosity and mechanical performance

“…8,9,14,15 Our earlier studies have also demonstrated that solution cast brous nanocomposite structures with high cellulose nanobers concentrations (75 wt%) and collagen provide mechanical performance suitable for ligaments. 8,9 Also, our previous studies have demonstrated the noncytotoxicity of nanocellulose from different sources and their potential in medical applications.…”

“…8,9 Also, our previous studies have demonstrated the noncytotoxicity of nanocellulose from different sources and their potential in medical applications. 15,19,20 In the current study, 3D nanocomposite scaffolds for cartilage regeneration were processed via freeze-drying technique, where porous cellulose nanober structures were bound together and mechanically/dimensionally stabilized using low amounts of crosslinked chitosan/gelatin blend system. The pore structure developed during the processing is expected to impact the moisture uptake and mechanical performance of the resultant scaffolds.…”

Bioactive Applications for Electrospun Fibers

“…151 PVA/nanocellulose fibers also presented excellent mechanical properties. 152 PEO,153,154 PLA, 155,156 and polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene 157 have been recently tested with similar results. Other authors stressed the need for improving the compatibility between the hydrophilic nanocellulose and hydrophobic polymers.…”

Nanocellulose as a green and sustainable emerging material in energy applications: a review

“…Cellulose is one of the most earth‐abundant organic materials and a major component in paper and has been recently and widely used in conjunction with electroactive and lightweight materials to fabricate flexible energy storage, plastic/coating materials, and part of the electronic devices with high flexibility and mechanical strength …”