The mineralization of electrospun chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous membranes

Abstract Based on the principles of biomineralization, a calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and chitosan composite membrane was prepared by mineralized of calcium carbonate on chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers under dynamic condition. The morphology and structure of membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers produced thin CaCO 3 island crystals, which interlaced with the chitosan fiber not only on the surface of the membrane but also within the membrane. The crystals could develop into a continuous CaCO 3 membrane on the fibers at latter stage of mineralization, the obtained crystals was mainly calcite type of CaCO 3 , and with small quantity of vaterite. MTT test and SEM imaging indicated that the attachment and growth of mouse fibroblast were well on the surface of CaCO 3 /chitosan/PVA composite membrane, and this composite has a good application prospect in the field of biomedical materials.