Facile Fabrication of Piezoelectric PVDF/Chitosan Blend Nanofibrous Membranes for Wound Dressing Applications

Abstract

The demand for polymer-based nanofibers has surged due to their outstanding properties, which are a promising alternative for healing wounds, especially when combined with both natural and synthetic polymers to overcome their individual limitations. Throughout this research, we fabricated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers blended with chitosan in a single step via the electrospinning technique, without dissolving the chitosan in acid and subsequently removing the acid, which is a common issue in the electrospinning of chitosan. Also, we investigated the effect of varying chitosan concentration (5, 10, and 15 wt.%) on the properties of electrospun nanofibers. Characterization revealed that incorporating chitosan significantly increased viscosity and conductivity, which subsequently promoted the formation of uniform, bead-free fibers. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed an advancement of the electroactive β-phase content, indicating superior piezoelectric properties. The nanofibers also exhibited increased hydrophilicity, water uptake, and biodegradation, which are important features in wound healing applications. Mechanical testing showed marginal improvements at 15% Cs concentration in Young's modulus from 2.3 to 5.3 MPa and tensile strength from 0.35 to 0.7 MPa. Moreover, cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that chitosan incorporation significantly enhanced cell viability and proliferation.