Hyaluronic acid/chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) fibers composed of two opposite charged natural biopolymers were prepared via electrospinning. The influence of PECs solution properties on the electrospinnability was investigated. The electrospinnability of PEC solution became poor as the increase of conductivity and viscosity, which was different with normal electrospinning process. Such novel phenomenon was considered as the result of complicate interaction among the two polyelectrolytes and solvent. The ratio of –COOH/-NH2 was calculated. DSC results proved that molecular level complex was formed in the PEC fibers. The PEC fibers will be expected as biomedical materials in tissue engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]