Preparation of the crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/blocked isocyanate prepolymers nanofibers with hydrolyzed products of Scutellariae Radix

We report on the preparation and characterizations of Scutellariae Radix (SR) blended poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/blocked isocyanate prepolymer (BIP) composite nanofibers via electrospinning process. In order to improve the biocompatibility properties, SR biological macromolecules were blended in PVA/BIP composite nanofibers. SEM images revealed that the composite nanofibers were well-oriented and had good incorporation of SR. Ultraviolet (UV) absorbance spectra revealed that the maximum measured absorbance intensities were linearly increased with increasing SR in the composite nanofibers. TEM images revealed a peculiar morphology by the additive SR. This additive SR possesses a lower molecular component which was exhibited at the outside of the nanofibers structure due to strong applied electric field during electrospinning process. These results indicated that the PVA/BIP blended SR composite nanofibers might be utilized for many biomedical applications including control release and wound dressing.

Research highlights
► PVA/blocked isocyanate prepolymers/Scutellariae Radix nanofibers were prepared.
► These composite nanofibers exhibited a peculiar morphology.
► This morphology was attributed to the presence of low molecular mass SR.
► The amount of SR releases rapidly increased with increasing SR content in PVA/BIP/SR.
► PVA/BIP blended SR nanofibers can be utilized for many technological applications.