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Review
. 2025 Feb 26:16:286-307.
doi: 10.3762/bjnano.16.22. eCollection 2025.

Enhancing mechanical properties of chitosan/PVA electrospun nanofibers: a comprehensive review

Nur Areisman Mohd Salleh  1   2 , Amalina Muhammad Afifi  2 , Fathiah Mohamed Zuki  3 , Hanna Sofia SalehHudin  2
Affiliations
Review

Enhancing mechanical properties of chitosan/PVA electrospun nanofibers: a comprehensive review

Nur Areisman Mohd Salleh et al. Beilstein J Nanotechnol. .

Abstract

This review examines strategies to enhance the mechanical properties of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibers, recognized for their biomedical and industrial applications. It begins by outlining the fundamental properties of chitosan and PVA, highlighting their compatibility and mechanical characteristics. The electrospinning process is discussed, focusing on how various parameters and post-treatment methods influence fiber formation and performance. Key strategies for improvement are analyzed, including material modifications through blending and structural modifications like fiber orientation and multilayer constructions, and surface modifications such as coating and functionalization. The review also covers advanced characterization methods to evaluate mechanical properties and provides a comparative analysis of different enhancement approaches. Applications in biomedical and industrial contexts are explored, showcasing the versatility and innovation potential of these nanofibers. Finally, current challenges are addressed, and future research directions are proposed to overcome these obstacles and further enhance the mechanical properties of chitosan/PVA electrospun nanofibers, guiding their development for practical applications.

Keywords: biomaterials; chitosan; electrospun nanofiber; mechanical properties; polyvinyl alcohol.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Applications of electrospun nanofibers [–11].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structure of chitosan.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structure of PVA.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of the electrospinning process for the fabrication of nanofibers.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Electrospinning polymer blend solutions by (a) mixing two polymer materials in a single solvent system and (b) mixing two solutions prepared from separate solvent systems.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Two-step sequential electrospinning for the fabrication of multilayered nanofibers.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Co-electrospinning with two nozzles (a) facing each other on the opposite sides and (b) next to each other on the same side of the collector.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Multichamber nozzles used to prepare multicomponent electrospun fibers.
Figure 9
Figure 9
(a) Paper frame with test specimen, tesile test (b) before start and (c) during test. Reprinted from [133] Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 166, by E. Maccaferri; L. Mazzocchetti; T. Benelli; A. Zucchelli; L. Giorgini, “Morphology, thermal, mechanical properties and ageing of Nylon 6,6/graphene nanofibers as Nano2 materials”, p. 120-129, Copyright (2019), with permission from Elsevier. This content is not subject to CC BY 4.0.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The mechanisms of cross-linking for chitosan/PVA composites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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