Electrospinning of carboxyethyl chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/silk fibroin nanoparticles for wound dressings

► Water-soluble N-carboxyethyl chitosan was successfully prepared by mild reaction. ► Nanofibrous membrane was fabricated by electrospinning their solution with water as the solvent. ► CECS/PVA/SF nanofibrous membrane had good biocompatibility. ► CECS/PVA/SF nanofibrous membrane could be as potential wound dressing. Composite nanofibrous membranes of water-soluble N-carboxyethyl chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/silk fibroin nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by electrospinning. The composite nanofibers were subjected to detailed analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). SEM results investigated that the morphology and diameter of the nanofibers were affected by silk fibroin nanoparticles content. XRD and DSC demonstrated that there was intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the molecules of carboxyethyl chitosan, silk fibroin and PVA. The crystalline microstructure of the electrospun fibers was not well developed. The indirect cytotoxicity assessments of the nanofibers were studied. The result showed the nanofibers had good biocompatibility. This novel electrospun matrix would be used as potential wound dressing for skin regeneration.