Innovative heat assisted solution blow spinning: PVA mats with enhanced thermal stabilization and antimicrobial efficacy

Abstract

Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) has garnered significant attention for its rapid production of fibers from polymeric solutions. However, its efficacy is hindered by the low evaporation rates of aqueous solvents. In a groundbreaking development, we introduce the Heat Assisted Solution Blow Spinning (HA-SBS) system, which, for the first time, enables the one-step production of crosslinked Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers from an aqueous solution. By incorporating chlorhexidine (CHX) and/or graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) into the starting solution, we formulated four distinct variations. Our results reveal that all HA-SBS-produced systems maintain robust structural integrity and fibrous architecture after water immersion. The inclusion of GNP nanofillers not only enhances the crosslinking level but also significantly boosts mechanical performance. Release tests indicate that HA-SBS membranes effectively decelerate CHX release, providing controlled and sustained antimicrobial efficacy. Notably, CHX-containing membranes exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This innovative approach holds great promise for advancing the production of functional fibrous membranes, with broad implications for various applications.