Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kefiran Nanofibers Membrane Using Electrospinning

The Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofiber membrane was successfully fabricated for the firsttime using electrospinning of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Kefirane blend solution. Scanningelectron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATRFT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the electrospunPoly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane fiber membranes. Similar analysis was done for polyvinyl alcoholnanofibers. Then, the results were compared with each other. Rheological behavior of the Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane solution was evaluated using a cone and plate rheometer. The flowcurves of 6% Kefiran solution and Poly (vinyl alcohol)//Kefiran blend solution showed sufficientviscosity for electrospinning. Viscosity decreased as the shear rate has increased in two samples,with both demonstrating shears thinning behavior. Electrospinnability of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefiran solution at different process conditions and Kefiran concentrations was studied. Scanningelectron microscope analysis exhibited that diameter of polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers increasedwith increasing Kefiran. Increasing the Kefiran concentration to 6% led to the disappearance ofnodes in nanofibers. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra showed thatKefiran has maintained its molecular structure during the electrospinning process. Differentialscanning calorimetry of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Kefirane nanofibers revealed lower melting pointthan polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers.