Synthesis of Nanofibers from Alginate‐Polyvinyl Alcohol using Electrospinning Methods

Alginate has been known as a polymer used for medical purposes such as wound dressing. PVA is a water soluble polymer, which has good fiber making ability and biocompatible. The alginate–PVA fibers are prepared using electrospinning method in aqueous solutions with 2% Alginate (2 wt%)/PVA (10 wt%) blended system in a volume ratios of 3/3, 2/3, and 1/3 and spinneret–collector spacing effect of 8, 10, and 12 cm. The functional group analysis shows the identity of the resulting compound and the absence of the formation of a new functional group. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows an increasingly widening crystal peak and lowered intensity of the crystalline peak. SEM data show the effect of variation of alginate composition and spinneret–collector spacing on the resulting morphology of fiber. The 10 cm spinneret–collector distance shows a continuous fiber and is not bending. The alginate–PVA 3/3 (v/v) and 2/3 (v/v) fibers qualify nanofiber trades because they have a fiber diameter of about 172,242–326,244 nm. Based on the result of tensile strength value and percent elongation of alginate–PVA 3/3 (v/v) fiber can be used as wound dressing as it meets the standard of medical material.