Biaxial electrospun nanofibers based on chitosan-poly (vinyl alcohol) and poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) modified with CeAlO₃...

A two-nozzle electrospinning method was employed to fabricate hybrid nanofibers based on chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA), with a ratio of 50:50, and poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). CeAlO₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by combustion method and utilized to improve the nanofiber's properties for wound dressing application. Cephalexin (CFX), as an antibiotic model, was also incorporated into the hydrophilic nanofibers. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in crystallinity when CeAlO₃-NPs were present in the nanofibers. Water vapor transmission rates in the samples were calculated as 2201-2627 g m^-2 day^-1, all within the normal range of ideal wound dressings. Mechanical studies revealed a 43 % and 85 % increase in tensile strength and modulus when CeAlO₃-NPs were incorporated. In vitro drug release tests were conducted to simulate drug release, and the neat fibers showed faster release than the modified fibers. The MTT assay and cell morphology experiments showed that CeAlO₃-NPs did not affect the nanofiber's biocompatibility and fibroblast cells could better grow, differentiate and cover the prepared hybrid scaffold surface compared to the neat fibers. Taking the results of our study into account, we believe the prepared nanofibrous has the potential for use as a low-cost, effective wound dressing.