Electrospinning technique is a versatile method to fabricate continuous fibers with diameters ranging from a few micrometers to a few nanometers. In this study, chitosan/ poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by an electrospinning method. The effects of chitosan molecular weights and ratio of chitosan/PVA were studied. The characteristics and surface morphologies of nanofibers were observed by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). | Journal of Science and Technology 54 (4B) (2016) 185-192 ELECTROSPUN CHITOSAN/PVA NANOFIBERS FOR DRUG DELIVERY Doan Van Hong Thien1, * , Tran Thi Bich Quyen1, Nguyen Minh Tri1, Tran Thi Kim Thoa2, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tham2 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Can Tho University–3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Vietnam 2 Department of Chemistry, Can Tho University–3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Vietnam * Email: dvhthien@ Received: 15 August 2016, Accepted for publication: 10 November 2016 ABSTRACT Electrospinning technique is a versatile method to fabricate continuous fibers with diameters ranging from a few micrometers to a few nanometers. In this study, chitosan/ poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by an electrospinning method. The effects of chitosan molecular weights and ratio of chitosan/PVA were studied. The characteristics and surface morphologies of nanofibers were observed by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The diameters of nanofibers were in the range of 100 nm to 250 nm. The chitosan/PVA nanofibers with different molecular weights were applied for curcumin delivery. Curcumin was loaded in the chitosan/PVA nanofibers. Then, release profile of curcumin was investigated. In the results, the encapsulation efficiency and the release rate demonstrate that chitosan/PVA nanofibers would be potential carriers for curcumin and promise to create a prospective drug delivery in the field of medicine. Keywords: chitosan, curcumin, electrospinning, nanofibers. 1. INTRODUCTION Electrospinning is a simple and versatile method for creating nanofibers [1]. The electrospinning has many advantages such as low cost, high production rate [2]. Electrospun nanofibers have a high surface-to-volume area. Thus, electrospun nanofibers have been applied for filtration, reinforcement in composite material, tissue engineering, energy-related applications, environmental applications, and especially in drug delivery [2 - .
