Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers Reinforced by Tannic Acid/Fe+++ Complexes

Author: Yang Weiqiao   Sousa Ana M. M.   Thomas-Gahring Audrey   Fan Xuetong   Jin Tony   Li Xihong   Tomasula Peggy M.   Liu LinShu  

Publisher: MDPI

E-ISSN: 1996-1944|9|9|757-757

ISSN: 1996-1944

Source: Materials, Vol.9, Iss.9, 2016-09, pp. : 757-757

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Abstract

We report the successful preparation of reinforced electrospun nanofibers and fibrous mats of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via a simple and inexpensive method using stable tannic acid (TA) and ferric ion (Fe+++) assemblies formed by solution mixing and pH adjustment. Changes in solution pH change the number of TA galloyl groups attached to the Fe+++ from one (pH < 2) to two (3 < pH < 6) to three (pH < 7.4) and affect the interactions between PVA and TA. At pH ~ 5.5, the morphology and fiber diameter size (FDS) examined by SEM are determinant for the mechanical properties of the fibrous mats and depend on the PVA content. At an optimal 8 wt % concentration, PVA becomes fully entangled and forms uniform nanofibers with smaller FDS (p < 0.05) and improved mechanical properties when compared to mats of PVA alone and of PVA with TA (p < 0.05). Changes in solution pH lead to beads formation, more irregular FDS and poorer mechanical properties (p < 0.05). The Fe+++ inclusion does not alter the oxidation activity of TA (p > 0.05) suggesting the potential of TA-Fe+++ assemblies to reinforce polymer nanofibers with high functionality for use in diverse applications including food, biomedical and pharmaceutical.