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Non-leaching cationic nanofibers from chitosan-g-PCL copolymer: A structurally durable platform for biomedical
1Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Department, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Biomedical engineering, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Türkiye.
Carbohydrate Research
|November 28, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed stable, long-lasting cationic nanofibers by creating a chitosan-graft-polycaprolactone copolymer. This prevents chitosan leaching, maintaining structural integrity and bioactivity for applications like tissue engineering and antimicrobial filters.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chitosan (CS)/polycaprolactone (PCL) blend nanofibers suffer from chitosan leaching, causing loss of bioactivity and structural instability.
- PCL offers good electrospinning properties but lacks functional groups, while CS has bioactivity but poor electrospinability.
- Both CS and PCL are FDA-approved, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers widely used in biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel chitosan-graft-polycaprolactone (CS-g-PCL) copolymer to create inherently cationic and long-lasting nanofibers.
- To overcome the leaching issue of CS in CS/PCL blend nanofibers.
- To develop a stable nanofiber platform with sustained cationic properties for advanced biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of CS-g-PCL copolymer.
- Characterization of synthesized copolymers and PCL using FTIR, 1HNMR, GPC, TGA, and XRD.
- Preparation of nanofibers via electrospinning using PCL and CS-g-PCL blends.
- Evaluation of nanofiber morphology (SEM), surface chemistry (XPS), hydrophilicity (water contact angle), mechanical strength, and antibacterial activity (disk diffusion assays).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of CS-g-PCL copolymer confirmed by various characterization techniques.
- Electrospun nanofibers exhibited stable structures with covalently bonded CS, preventing leaching.
- XPS and antibacterial disk diffusion studies demonstrated the non-leaching nature and sustained antibacterial properties.
- The developed nanofibers showed long-lasting cationic characteristics and structural stability.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully created a structurally stable, cationic nanofiber platform using CS-g-PCL copolymers.
- The covalently bonded CS within the nanofiber matrix inhibits leaching, ensuring prolonged bioactivity and structural integrity.
- These novel nanofibers are suitable for applications requiring sustained positive charge, such as tissue engineering scaffolds and long-term antimicrobial filtration systems.
