effect of chemical cross-linking on the swelling and degradation rates of chitosan-copper complex/pva electrospun nanofibers

Chitosan-copper complex/pva electrospun nanofiber mats were cross-linked with 6 and 12% glutaraldehyde (ga) for 12 and 24 h to study their effects on swelling and degradation until 21 days. results showed that increasing ga concentration and cross-linking time reduces swelling from 186% for the non-cross-linked mats to 100% for the mats treated with 12% ga for 24 h after the first day. degradation also decreased from 48% weight loss for non-cross-linked to 3% for the most extensively cross-linked mats. this study demonstrated that chemical cross-linking limits swelling and degradation of the chitosan-copper complex/pva nanofibers by restricting the polymer chain mobility.