Preparation of Chitosan based Nanofibers: Optimization and Modeling

The main objective of the present study is to prepare a chitosan based nanofiber and model the electrospinning process using response surface methodology (RSM). The electrospinning parameters such as collector distance, polymer solution concentration and applied voltage were optimized by using three-variable-three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD). Based on RSM analysis, second order polynomial equation was formed and it indicated good correspondence between experimental and predicted values. 3D response surface plots were used to study the individual and interactive effects of process variables on chitosan based nanofiber diameter. The optimum process conditions for the minimum chitosan based nanofiber diameter (0.3 mu m) were found to be collector distance of 12 cm, polymer solution concentration of 25% and applied voltage of 6 kV.