Nanofiber Membrane Production and Characterization

Nanofiber Membrane Production and Characterization Nanofiber Membrane Production and Characterization from Substances with Known Natural Wound-Healing Properties Using the Electrospinning Method Nanofiber Membrane A wound is defined as the cessation of the structural and functional capacity of living tissue resulting from damage to the skin for various reasons. Wound treatment dates back to the beginning of human history. The primary objective in wound treatment is to repair tissue in the shortest possible time and restore the damaged skin structure and functional properties. For this reason, various techniques are employed in wound treatment today. In our study, composite membranes containing cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) (C) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) (Y) substances, known for their natural wound-healing properties, added to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer were obtained using the nanotechnological electrospinning technique. Morphological analysis (Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy—FEGSEM) was performed on the produced membranes to determine material surface properties. The composite material we produced, with its functional properties, could be an ideal material that could lead the way in various sectors, particularly the healthcare sector.

1. Introduction

A wound is defined as the cessation of the structural and functional capacity of living tissue resulting from damage to the skin for various reasons [1]. Wound treatment dates back to the beginning of human history. The primary objective in wound treatment is to repair tissue in the shortest possible time and restore the damaged skin structure and functional properties. For this reason, various techniques are employed in wound treatment today. Electrospinning, a technique for producing membranes effective in wound treatment, is one of the most cost-effective and easiest nanotechnological production methods. Depending on the working principle of the electrospinning technique, the ability to use a wide variety of polymers and additives enables the production of innovative materials for various sectors. Electrospun membranes containing active compounds and polymers can demonstrate ideal wound-healing properties [2]. It has anti-inflammatory properties that fight inflammation in the body. It can help reduce heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and related diseases. It has been found to lower bad cholesterol and develop good cholesterol in the body. It has been determined that cinnamon promotes collagen production in the body, which allows skin to remain youthful. Peeling with cinnamon, which is a dead cell cleanser and purifier, nourishes the skin and scalp. Cinnamon has the property of supporting the lungs and, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, can fight tissue damage in the body. Its effect on wound healing has been proven [2]. It is a flowering plant that is a member of the daisy family. It is characteristic of the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, such as Asia, Europe, and North America. Yarrow, which is beneficial in treating ailments such as stomach and skin wounds, also strengthens bones and the digestive system, thereby increasing the body's resistance [2]. It is the process of transforming viscous fluid into nano-sized fibers by applying kilovolt-level voltage to very low flow rate viscous liquids. In these applications, polymer solution or melt is used as the viscous liquid. The solution reaching the tip of the medical syringe at constant flow rate forms a spherical droplet under the effect of surface tension, and here under the effect of electrical forces, it conicifies (Taylor cone) and is transferred as nanofiber to a grounded collector at a certain distance [3]. Figure 1.3 shows the working principle of the electrospinning technique. Uyar and colleagues (2017) investigated the biochemical effects related to wound healing in rats. They divided the rats into separate groups and examined the effects of control (C), yarrow (Y), and Madecassol (M) on them. They created wounds on the back skin of the rats under anesthesia. In the yarrow group, they observed a reduction in inflammation and edema, positive effects on epithelialization, fibroblastic activity, and collagenization. As a result, they determined in their study that yarrow increased connective tissue formation and reduced the time required for epithelialization completion, thereby accelerating wound healing [4]. The objective of our study is to obtain composite membrane production, in which cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) (C) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) (Y) substances known for their natural wound-healing properties are added to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer, using the nanotechnological electrospinning technique. Analysis was performed on the produced membranes (Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy—FEGSEM) to determine material properties. The composite material we produced, with its functional properties, could be an ideal material that could lead the way in various sectors, particularly the healthcare sector.

2. Materials and Method

2.1. Materials Used

PAN polymer was obtained from Inovenso. Dimethylformamide (Sigma-Aldrich) solvent was used to dissolve the polymer, and greaseproof paper was used as substrate material during the electrospinning stage. Additives cinnamon and yarrow were purchased from a local pharmacy.

2.2. Experimental Design and Techniques

2.2.1. Wound-Healing Nanofiber Membrane Production

Preparation of Wound-Healing Solutions

PAN polymer, based on studies reviewed in the literature, is used for wound healing. 10 grams of PAN polymer by weight was dissolved in 90 ml of DMF solvent to form a solution. Cinnamon, yarrow, and cinnamon-yarrow blend were added to the PAN solution at 1% by weight to obtain four different compositions. The preparation parameters for wound-healing solutions are presented in Table 2.1. The stages of preparation of wound-healing solutions are shown in Figure 2.1.

Wound-Healing Nanofiber Membrane Production by Electrospinning Method

The electrospinning parameters required for wound-healing nanofiber membrane production are shown in Table 2.2. Wound-healing nanofiber membrane production was carried out from the four different composition solutions created by applying the production parameters in Table 2.2. The stages of wound-healing nanofiber membrane production by the electrospinning method are shown in Figure 2.2.

2.3. Characterization Studies

2.3.1. Structural Characterization

Morphological Characterization *FEGSEM Analysis

The produced wound-healing nanofiber membranes were examined on an FEI FEGSEM QUANTA 450 device. During examination of nanofiber diameters, magnified images at 8,000x and 16,000x magnification were examined at 7 kV potential. By measuring 40 nanofiber diameters from the images and calculating their arithmetic averages, average nanofiber diameter ranges were determined.

3. Results and Discussion

Morphological Characterization FEGSEM Analysis

PAN nanofiber average diameter distribution is in the range of 100–210 nm. In the PAN nanofiber membrane with 1% cinnamon additive, agglomerations with different orientations occurred, which resulted from the cinnamon addition. Upon examination of average diameter distribution, cinnamon addition homogeneously wrapped around the PAN nanofibers, thinning the fiber diameters, and resulted in fiber average diameter distribution in the range of 83–170 nm. The average diameter distribution of yarrow-containing PAN nanofibers is 80–200 nm, and due to the yarrow additive, scattered agglomerations formed in places on the PAN nanofibers. Upon examination of 1% cinnamon + 1% yarrow-containing PAN nanofibers, the average nanofiber diameter distribution is 110–270 nm, and with the addition of 1% cinnamon + 1% yarrow, agglomerations on the PAN nanofibers disappeared while fiber diameters became thicker. Examining all specimens, it was determined that compared with PAN nanofibers, fiber diameters decreased on average with the addition of additives and agglomerations formed in places. However, the addition of additives increased the electrical conductivity of the solution, resulting in better fiber FEGSEM images. Figure 3.1 shows FEGSEM images of wound-healing nanofiber membranes at 8,000x and 16,000x magnifications.

4. Conclusions

When the study results were evaluated, wound-healing nanofiber membranes were successfully produced using the electrospinning technique. According to FEGSEM analysis results, nanofiber formation was observed in all specimens. Compared to the PAN nanofiber membrane specimen, cinnamon and yarrow additives thinned the diameters of PAN nanofibers, resulting in a more tightly packed wound-healing nanofiber membrane. Upon examination of all specimens, our 10% PAN + 1% cinnamon + 1% yarrow composite nanofiber membrane was determined to have the finest nanofiber structure in the study. When the study results were evaluated, it was concluded that the nanofiber membrane we obtained could be an ideal material in wound-healing applications.   5. References [1] DOĞAN, Z., Development and Characterization of Nanofiber Wound Dressing Surfaces, Master's Thesis, Istanbul Technical University Institute of Science, 2012. [2] URL-5: https://dogal-sifalar.blogspot.com/2019/01/kask-otu-ve-faydalar.html [3] SU, S., Production and Characterization of Biocompatible Wound Dressing by Electrospinning Method, Master's Thesis, Marmara University Institute of Science, 2019. [4] UYAR, A., AKYOL, T., YAMAN, T., KELEŞ, F., A Histopathological and Biochemical Investigation of the Wound Healing and Oxidative Stress Effect on the Wound Model of the Achillea millefolium in Rats, Van Veterinary Journal, 28(3), 157–163, 2017   Instructor Erdi Buluş Metallurgy and Materials Engineer Materials Technology Specialist Istanbul Arel University ArelPOTKAM (Polymer Technologies and Composite Application and Research Center)   Specialist Gülseren Sakarya Buluş Provincial Health Directorate Health Sciences Nanotechnology / Biotechnology Engineering Management