Application of response surface methodology to tailor the surface chemistry of electrospun chitosan-poly(ethylene oxide) fibers.

Chitosan is a promising biocompatible polymer for regenerative engineering applications, but its processing remains challenging due to limited solubility and rigid crystalline structure. This work represents the development of electrospun chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide) blend nanofibrous membranes by means of a numerical analysis in order to identify and tailor the main influencing parameters with respect to accessible surface nitrogen functionalities which are of importance for the biological activity as well as for further functionalization. Depending on the solution composition, both gradient fibers and homogenous blended fiber structures could be obtained with surface nitrogen concentrations varying between 0 and 6.

Enzyme functionalized electrospun chitosan mats for antimicrobial treatment.

This work presents electrospun chitosan mats, functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOX) to implement an in-situ hydrogen peroxide (HO) generation system. The as spun CTS-PEO mats exhibited a smooth and homogenous morphology in combination with a high specific surface area (5.4m/g) providing an excellent basis for further functionalization and subsequent glutaraldehyde crosslinking provided them with superior mechanical stability in aqueous environments.