Analysis the effect of different cross-linking agents on the structure of Starch-Poly (vinyl) alcohol nanofiber mats produced by electrospinning method

The production of nanofiber composite as a blend of natural and synthetic polymers has received much attention in recent years.These new and advanced biomaterials are widely used in the field of biomedicine, especially drug release systems, wound dressings,tissue engineering, etc.In this research work, starch and PVA blend nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method.In fact, due to the hard processability of starch, polyvinyl alcohol was used as a processing aid.Considering the poor mechanical properties and the possibility of using these nanofibers in aqueous environments and the issue of their solubility, different cross-linking operations on starch/PVA hydrophilic nanofibers including heat,genipin,citric acid soluble in water,citric acid soluble in ethyl acetate and glutaraldehyde is investigated here.In order to ensure the achievement of the nanoscale and accurate measurement of the diameter of nanofibers,morphological images by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and identification of the produced nanofibers by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction(XRD) was evaluated.Thermal stability of nanofibers before and after cross-linking was performed by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA).Examination of morphological properties showed that fibers with uniform diameter and random arrangement were produced.With the addition of starch, a decrease in fiber diameter was observed.The results of FTIR spectroscopy and XRD studies show the proper interaction between the two polymer components and the cross-linking agent. The results obtained from solubility and TGA showed that nanofibers networked with glutaraldehyde have the highest structural stability. Finally, the results of this research indicate that Starch/PVA(GA)nanofibers will have the potential to be used in the field of biomedicine.