Recycled polylactic acid nanofibers and silver nanoparticles obtained by vertical electrospinning

Abstract

Abstract The increasing accumulation of polylactic acid (PLA) waste from 3D printing highlights the need for circular economy approaches and the development of high-value functional materials. Recycled PLA was washed, shredded, and dissolved in chloroform to prepare solutions with concentrations between 5.0% and 20.0% (w/v). Silver nanoparticles were incorporated at 0.5 wt% relative to polymer mass. Membranes were fabricated via vertical electrospinning using applied voltages of 6–14 kV, tip-to-collector distances of 9.5–15.5 cm, and a flow rate of 0.1983 µL/min. The materials were characterized using rheology, FTIR, SEM, and antimicrobial assays. Fiber diameters (1.20–1.27 µm) confirmed a microfibrous structure. Viscosity increased from 0.01 to 0.21 Pa·s with PLA concentration, affecting jet stability. Antimicrobial activity showed inhibition zones of 10.12–13.51 mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results confirm a clear structure–property–function relationship, supporting applications in antimicrobial coatings and active packaging systems.