Electrospinning Machine | Self-charging, antibacterial, and biodegradable functional materials prepared by electrospinning: for masks, wound dressings, and vascular grafts

The rapid development of global medical technology has positioned multifunctional materials as a key focus of scientific research and innovation. To address ongoing global public health challenges and growing environmental concerns, the development of advanced materials with integrated self-charging, antibacterial, and biodegradable properties has become crucial. This study utilizes electrospinning technology to develop a novel nanofiber material, showing great potential in respiratory protective masks, wound dressings, and vascular grafts. 

Recently, a team led by Assistant Professor Chen Zhixiang and Academician Liu Qingxia from Shenzhen Technology University published their latest research findings, titled "Self-charging, antibacterial, and biodegradable functional materials prepared by electrospinning: for masks, wound dressings, and vascular grafts," in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal. The researchers prepared a three-layer functional material (PDMS@PLA/CA/Ag@PLA) integrating self-charging, antibacterial, and biodegradable properties via electrospinning technology. The synergistic effect of the three layers enabled the material to achieve remarkable performance: self-charging under high humidity conditions (charge density of 2200 nC/m²), high antibacterial efficiency (99.9% antibacterial rate in vitro), and complete biodegradation within 15 days. 

Furthermore, the multi-layer fiber network forms a three-dimensional micro-nano porous structure, endowing the composite membrane with high flexibility, moderate stretchability, excellent breathability, and outstanding structural stability. This study proposes a novel manufacturing strategy for advanced medical materials, providing a reliable scientific foundation for clinical applications. The developed composite material has the potential for significant breakthroughs in the medical and environmental fields, addressing key challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Fig. 1: Preparation process and performance characteristics of the composite nanofiber membrane.

The PLA-CA nanofiber membrane achieved a charge density of 2200 nC/m² during contact separation, which is 5.5 times that of commercial PP fibers (Fig. 1b). The Ag@PLA nanofiber membrane exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy against E. coli (Escherichia coli), as evidenced by the twisted and collapsed bacterial morphology on the membrane, contrasting with the intact rod-shaped bacteria observed on commercial polypropylene material (Fig. 1d). Furthermore, the degradation products of the Ag@PLA nanofiber membrane exhibited low and controllable biotoxicity.

Fig. 2: Various aspects of the self-charging filtering mask's performance and comparison with commercial masks.

As shown in Fig. 2a, the PDMS@PLA and Ag@PLA nanofiber membranes act as electron donors for the outer and inner layers, respectively, while the negatively charged CA layer acts as an electron acceptor. During the inhalation-exhalation cycle, airflow-induced contact and separation between the CA and friction layers promote electron transfer from PLA to CA. This process generates charge accumulation on the CA surface (Fig. 2b), significantly improving the electrostatic filtration efficiency for particles and bacteria. Simultaneously, the self-charging mask also demonstrated significant stability under different humidity conditions (Fig. 2f and 2g).

Fig. 3: Various aspects of the wound healing experiment and evaluation.

Fig. 3b depicts a mouse wound model treated with the Ag@PLA composite dressing, which has a three-layer structure designed for optimal wound management. The innermost layer consists of antibacterial hydrophilic Ag@PLA fibers to prevent bacterial infection and inflammation, the middle layer is made of highly hydrophilic CA fibers to effectively absorb wound exudate, while the outermost superhydrophobic PDMS@PLA layer prevents external contamination and bacterial adhesion (Fig. 3c); this layered design ensures efficient exudate management.

Fig. 4: Vascular graft with high biocompatibility and degradability.

The electrospun composite membrane has a unique porous structure conducive to nutrient penetration and cell infiltration, thereby promoting cell growth. To evaluate their suitability for vascular graft manufacturing, PLA and CA fiber membranes were surface-modified and assembled, as shown in Fig. 4a. The vascular graft consists of an inner layer of hydrophilically modified m-PLA (Fig. 4b) and an outer layer of cross-linked modified m-CA (Fig. 4c).

Paper link::https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.166917