Swelling Behaviors and Water States of Fibrous Membranes Electrospun from PHBV-g-PVP

Abstract

Fibrous membranes with a fiber diameter between 320 and 460 nm were electrospun from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-graft-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PHBV-g-PVP) and their specific water absorption behaviors were investigated for biomaterial purposes. Water swelling experiments indicate that all samples have a great capacity for water uptake, while a remarkable overshoot occurs for the membranes electrospun from PHBV-g-PVP other than those from PHBV. DSC characterization indicates that only non-freezable bound water and free water can be distinguished in all electrospun membranes.