Emulsion electrospinning of PVA/rosemary nanofibers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a nanofibrous wound dressing material through the emulsion electrospinning method utilizing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer and rosemary essential oil (REO). The study involved the preparation of PVA/REO emulsions at varying REO ratios (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 wt%). First, the emulsion properties, such as viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension, were determined. The incorporation of REO resulted in a discernible enhancement in viscosity, accompanied by a minor reduction in conductivity. There was no appreciable alteration in surface tension. The emulsion electrospinning approach was used to produce the nanofiber composite material from these emulsions. Subsequently, the surface morphology of these nanofiber composites was investigated via the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Although REO increased the diameters of the nanofibers produced, it was observed that the nanofibers were smooth, beadless, and exhibited uniform structural properties. Besides, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify chemical compounds in rosemary essential oil. According to GC-MS analysis, 25 components were identified in REO, and 1.8-cineole (eucalyptol) was identified as the major component (58.7%). The study found that the addition of REO had a significant effect on the emulsion properties and morphology of the nanofibers. The emulsion electrospinning approach was got through to be a promising method for producing composite nanofibers from two immiscible liquids, such as an essential oil and an aqueous polymer solution.