Enhancing multifunctional electrospun polycaprolactone/chitosan nanofibers using ferric oxide nanoparticles for biomedical and flexible optoelectronic applications

Abstract

In this study, composite nanofibers based on polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS)/iron oxide (Fe2O3) were successfully fabricated. Although PCL and CS polymers are biodegradable, their applications are limited in fields requiring enhanced functional properties. The incorporating Fe2O3 nanoparticles overcomes these limitations, allowing for the production of materials with optical and electrical properties, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Electrospun nanofibers were synthesized using electrospinning. Adding Fe2O3 nanoparticles to PCL-CS polymers improves optical and electrical properties, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Optical properties improve with increasing Fe2O3 nanoparticle content, including the energy gap, absorbance, and refractive index. Electrical conductivity increases with increasing Fe2O3 nanoparticle content and temperature. Antibacterial activity increases with increasing nanoparticle content, demonstrating effectiveness against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, accompanied by larger inhibition zones. Additionally, free-radical scavenging and fungal inhibition are enhanced. This PCL-CS/6% Fe2O3 hybrid compound offers potential as an alternative to engineered medical tissues for antimicrobial applications.