Fabrication of electrospun eggshell membrane nanofibers by treatment with catechin

Abstract

Abstract Optimum processing conditions for the electrospinning of water‐soluble eggshell membrane (S‐ESM) were investigated. Two biocompatible polymers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), were used to improve the processability of S‐ESM for electrospinning in aqueous media. Uniform nanofibers with average diameters of 240 and 335 nm were successfully electrospun for blend ratios at S‐ESM/PEO = 95 : 5 and S‐ESM/PVA = 60 : 40 with a solutes concentration of 20 and 18 wt %, respectively. Insoluble S‐ESM/PEO and S‐ESM/PVA fibers were achieved after treatment with catechin and required no toxic or synthetic additives. FTIR spectra indicated that the hydrogen bond formed between S‐ESM and catechin was the main interaction that improved the insolubility of S‐ESM/PEO and S‐ESM/PVA nanofibers in water. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010