Preparation and characterization of composite fibers from organic-soluble chitosan and poly-vinylpyrrolidone by electrospinning

Ultrafine composite fibers were fabricated by electrospinning of chloroform solutions of organic-soluble chitosan (O-CS) and poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The composite fibers were subjected to detailed analysis by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FT-IR showed that the composite fibers contained the two polymers. The SEM image results confirmed that the morphology and diameter of the fibers were remarkably affected by the process and the parameters of the electrospinning. The governing parameters included the applied voltage, the viscosity of the electrospun solution and tip-to-collector distance, and were further investigated.