Production and characterization of chitosan nanofibers with cellulose nanocrystals for biomedical applications

Author(s)

Daniela Missiani Ridolfi

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química
• Defense date: 2014-10-31

Examining board members

Nelson Eduardo Duran Caballero; Lilian Müller Guerrini; Amauri Jardim de Paula; Wanda Pereira Almeida; Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre

• Advisor: Nelson Eduardo Duran Caballero

Abstract

In this work chitosan/ poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) (5:1) nanofibers with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were successfully produced by the electrospinning technique and the effect of the addition of CNC on the nanofibers properties was evaluated. The electrospinning assays were performed with samples of CNC obtained by acid hydrolysis. The electrospinning of chitosan solutions, with and without CNC, resulted in the formation of many drops (beads). Therefore, it was necessary to add PEO on solutions. Although the PEO addition has favored the fiber formation, the chitosan/PEO solutions without CNC showed beads while chitosan/PEO solutions with CNC resulted in uniform fibers. The chitosan/PEO solutions with CNC showed higher viscosity compared to the solution without CNC, which may have favored the formation of uniform fibers. Solutions of chitosan/PEO containing 10% (w/w) of CNC produced thinner fibers compared to solutions containing 5% (w/w) of CNC probably due the higher solution conductivity. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the CNC has an effect on the PEO decomposition, however, it does not impair the performance of the material. The chitosan/PEO nanofibers with CNC showed lower crystallinity compared the nanofibers without CNC. Results from cell assay in cultures of 3T3 fibroblasts showed that the chitosana/PEO nanofibers (with 10% of CNC) promoted cell attachment and maintained the characteristic cell morphology which suggests potential applications of these nanofibers in cell tissue engineering (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/10221-9 - Production and characterization of chitosan nanofibres reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals for biomedical application
• Grantee: Daniela Missiani Ridolfi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate