ELECTROSPINNING OF PVP/CARVACROL/LANOLIN COMPOSITE NANOFIBERS

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to produce and characterize various concentrations of carvacrol and lanolin loaded PVP nanofibers via electrospinning. Various concentrations of carvacrol:lanolin were added to the PVP polymer solutions such as 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 wt %. Solution properties such as viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension were measured. In terms of characterization studies, SEM, FT-IR, TGA and DSC analysis were carried out. According to the results of the study, viscosity increased and conductivity decreased with carvacrol:lanolin concentration increasement. However, surface tension was not affected from carvacrol:lanolin concentration. Nanowebs quality improved with carvacrol:lanolin concentrations. Generally, nanofibers are quite fine, smooth, and uniform. FT-IR spectrums verified that PVP, carvacrol and lanolin exist in the structure of nanofibers chemically. DSC and TGA results demonstrated that the thermal stability of carvacrol and lanolin, which have poor thermal stability, was enhanced by incorporating them into the PVP nanofiber structures. Considering antibacterial properties of carvacrol and wound healing properties of lanolin, these composite nanofiber surfaces have a high potential for use in the biomedical field, especially as a wound dressing.