Core/Sheath Structured PVA Micro/Nano Composite Fibers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Modified electrospinning apparatus has been developed for continually fabricating nanofiber-coated microfibers.Two positively charged spinnerets were introduced and the PVA microfibers containing silver nanowires (AgNWs) were acted as the grounded collector.The prepared PVA/AgNWs microfiber moved through the electric field during electrospinning process and the nanofibers deposited onto the surface of the PVA/AgNWs microfiber to form a coating layer.Due to the addition of AgNWs, the micro/nano composite fibers had antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8099) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538).In addition, the human osteoblasts attached well on the micro/nano composite fibers in a 3D direction.