Process optimization for fabrication of gellan based electrospun nanofibers

• Novel gellan based nanofibers with uniform morphology were fabricated using electrospinning technique.
• Viscosity and the mass ratio of gellan:PVA were the key parameters that influence the formation of nanofibers.
• Voltage and tip-to-collector distance exhibited significant effect on the gellan–PVA nanofiber morphology and diameter.

In this investigation, the nanofiber formation ability of gellan, a FDA approved low cost natural polysaccharide, has been achieved for the first time using electrospinning technique. The gellan based ultrafine nanofibers were fabricated by using a blend mixture of gellan with another biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The morphology of resulting gellan–PVA nanofibers was analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The mass ratio of 50:50 for gellan:PVA was recorded as an optimum solution ratio to obtain uniform bead free nanofibers with an average diameter of 40 ± 15.8 nm. Data depicted that among different parameters evaluated, viscosity and the mass ratio of gellan:PVA were the key parameters that influence the nanofiber morphology and diameter.