Preparation and anticoagulant properties of heparin-like electrospun membranes from carboxymethyl chitosan and bacterial cellulose sulfate

Heparin-like membranes (CPBS) with nanofibers (approximate diameters of 100–500 nm) were prepared through electrospinning of a blended solution of carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticle (CMCN, diameters 483 nm) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (CMCN/PVA) onto the surface of modified bacterial cellulose sulfate (BCS) membranes. SEM images confirmed that the CMCN were stretched to nanofibers during electrospinning. The presence of BCS on the collector of electrospinning machine increased the spinnability of CMCN/PVA solution. FTIR and XPS measurement revealed that there were SO3−, COO−, and OH groups on the surface of CPBS membrane, expressing structural similarity to heparin. CPBS membranes maintained hydrophilicity and the glutaraldehyde crosslinked CPBS membrane was stable in water. The clotting time and platelet adhesion experiments expressed the anticoagulant properties of CPBS. The APTT, TT and PT of CPBS increased up to 116.0%, 189.8%, and 50% than those of the plasma, (67.4 s, 16.2 s, and 48.4 s, respectively). No platelets adhered onto the surface of CPBS. An inflammatory response was determined according to activation of the macrophages seeded onto the membranes.