Quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber and method of forming thereof

Abstract

Provided herein is a novel formulation of a quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber, and a one-step fabrication method of the nanofiber thereof. The novel formulation allows flexibility in adjusting the type of charges and crystallinity of the nanofiber product as desired, and the one-step fabrication method allows easy and cost-effective production of these nanofibers without the use of external physical charging. The charge-bearing nanofibers of the present invention also show remarkable stability under different temperature and chemical conditions, and a significant charge retention over a time period of 12 months.

1 . A method of forming quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofibers, comprising:
 preparing an aqueous fabrication solution comprising at least one water-soluble polymer, one charge-bearing polymer, water and acetic acid;   electrospinning the aqueous solution to obtain nanofibers; and   subjecting the nanofibers to ionized air to obtain quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofibers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water-soluble polymer is selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, chitosan, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, collagen and hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one charge-bearing polymer is selected from polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polylysine or polyhexanide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ionized air is produced by electrodes placed at a distance of 10-50 mm apart applying a voltage of 50-100 kV. 
     
     
         5 . A quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber fabricated using the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the magnitude of the surface charge of the nanofiber is at least 10 mV. 
     
     
         7 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the surface charge retention of the nanofiber 12 months after fabrication under room temperature is at least 60%. 
     
     
         8 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the surface charge retention of the nanofiber 72 hours after fabrication under a temperature of 50° C. is at least 55%. 
     
     
         9 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the surface charge retention of the nanofiber 72 hours after fabrication under a temperature of −20° C. is at least 60%. 
     
     
         10 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the hydration level of the nanofiber is at least 50% higher than non-charge bearing nanofibers. 
     
     
         11 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the total antioxidant capacity of the nanofiber is at least 300% higher than non-charge bearing nanofibers. 
     
     
         12 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the nanofiber bears positive charge and the charge-bearing polymer in the aqueous fabrication solution comprises polyhexanide. 
     
     
         13 . The quasi-permanent charge-bearing nanofiber of  claim 4 , wherein the nanofiber bears negative charge and the charge-bearing polymer in the aqueous fabrication solution comprises polyacrylic acid.