Effect of Chemical Cross-Linking on the Swelling and Degradation Rates of Chitosan-Copper Complex/PVA Electrospun Nanofibers

Chitosan-copper complex/PVA electrospun nanofiber mats were cross-linked with 6 and 12% glutaraldehyde (GA) for 12 and 24 h to study their effects on swelling and degradation until 21 days. Results showed that increasing GA concentration and cross-linking time reduces swelling from 186% for the non-cross-linked mats to 100% for the mats treated with 12% GA for 24 h after the first day. Degradation also decreased from 48% weight loss for non-cross-linked to 3% for the most extensively cross-linked mats. This study demonstrated that chemical crosslinking limits swelling and degradation of the chitosan-copper complex/PVA nanofibers by restricting the polymer chain mobility.