Sheath-separate-core nanocomposites fabricated using a trifluid electrospinning

Complex multi-chamber nanostructures are difficult to prepare in a facile and straightforward manner although they are very useful for designing novel functional nanomaterials. In this study, based on the application of electrospun monolithic composites, a new tri-chamber composite nano structure was fabricated using a special trifluid electrospinning. The composite structure had a common shell and two separate cores, and thus was termed as a sheath-separate-core structure. A homemade structural spinneret was developed to assemble an electrospinning system for fabrication. All the three core/sheath sections of the sheath-separate-core structure were monolithic composites consisting of pH-sensitive polymers (i.e. Eudragit® series) and an active ingredient (paracetamol). The sheath-separate-core composite nano structure was able to combine the performances of the three electrospun monolithic nanocomposites to provide a smart controlled release profile according to the physiological characteristics of the digestive tract. The reported protocol opens a new way for designing and producing novel functional nanomaterials based on a complex nanostructure and the related process-structure-performance relationship. [Display omitted] •A complex nanostructure consists of a sheath and two separate cores.•A multifluid electrospinning is implemented to fabricate the complex structure.•A structural spinneret is developed for guiding and organizing the three fluids.•The sheath-separate-core structures can provide a smart drug controlled release.