Fabrication and Characterization of the Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers Incorporated with the Extracted Fruit Peel Pectin and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT Herein, pomegranate, orange, and cantaloupe peel pectins were extracted. Then, nanofibrous membranes of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/pectin with various ratios (70:30, 80:20, and 90:10) were fabricated by using a standard electrospinning procedure. In the next step, various concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofiller were introduced into the PVA/pectin electrospun fibers. Finally, the effects of pectin and ZnO ratios on morphology and mechanical characteristics of the electrospun fibers were evaluated. Based on the scanning electron microscopy images, thinner fibers were formed by an increase of the pectin and ZnO proportions in the electrospun fibers. According to the obtained Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), all extracted pectins were high methoxy. In addition, complexation between the PVA polymer chains, extracted pectins, and ZnO particles was confirmed by FTIR spectra. Moreover, increase of the pectin and ZnO ratios led to fabrication of fibers with superior mechanical strength and lower strain.