Polysaccharide based nanofibers with pH-sensitive function

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to prepare a polysaccharide (cellulose acetate) based nanofibrous sensor for detection of pH change in the wound environment. In order to prepare cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers, acetic acid was used as a solvent, and fabrication of fibers was performed on the needle-less electrospinning apparatus. Long uniform CA nanofibers, with diameters ranging from 250 to 300 nm, were electrospun from 15 wt % CA and 85 % acetic acid, with addition of halochromic dye (Bromocrezol Green). The addition of Bromocrezol Green in the spinning formulation did not affect the fiber formation. Prepared nanofibrous sensors were characterized using CIE color space analysis in order to evaluate the color due to pH change. Nanofibrous sensors exhibit yellow color when exposed to pH4 and lower, simulating the wound environment beneficial to the wound healing, and blue color when exposed to pH 9 and higher, simulating the environment that hampers wound healing (chronic, infected wounds).