Chitosan PVA nanofibers with SiO₂@Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles incorporated for arrangements designed with magnetic guidance

The technology for producing nanofibers from polymeric materials has advanced in recent times. Nanofibers composed of different biopolymers and composite materials have been developed for use in a wide range of applications. The choice of materials used varies significantly based on the specific application, such as enhancing adsorptive properties, utilizing them as sensors, or applications in biomedical fields. Polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan are widely used to produce nanofibers due to their exceptional properties. To improve the properties of these nanofibers, they can be mixed with nanoparticles to modify their physical or chemical characteristics or used as transport. In this work we present a low-voltage electrospinning technique (12 kV) for the synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan nanofibers, with an average diameter of 182 ± 34 nm, incorporating mesoporous SiO₂@Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs). The SiO₂ shell protects the magnetic Fe₂O₃ cores and makes it easier for the fibers to line up in the field with 78 % orientation fidelity, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed crosslinking through Si–O–polymer interactions, which resulted in reduced hydrophilicity, as evidenced by a contact angle of 55° compared to 40° for unmodified fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the transformation of Fe₂O₃ to FeOOH, corresponding to JCPDS-29–0713 and JPDS-33–0664. This method provides dual functionality—magnetic guidance and adjustable wettability—suitable for targeted biomedical applications, such as tissue scaffolds.