Conversion of Electrospun Chitosan into Chitin: A Robust Strategy to Tune the Properties of 2D Biomimetic Nanofiber Scaffolds

New biomimetic micro- and nano-CsU-based fibrous scaffolds electrospun from solution containing high purity-medical grade chitosan (CsU) of fungus origin (CsU1, Mv ~174,000 CsU2, 205,000, degree deacetylation (DDA) ~65%) polyethylene oxide (PEO, ~ 900,000), in the presence given amounts Triton X-100 (from 0.01 to 0.5 wt%) as surfactant were fabricated. We demonstrate that by carefully selecting compositions levels, porous mats with CsU content up 90% (at this molecular weight DDA) achieved. Remarkable long-term stability water or phosphate buffer storage obtained developing post-electrospinning treatment allowing complete elimination PEO CsU-fibers demonstrated TGA, DSC ESEM analysis. Subsequent reacetylation procedure was applied convert 2D chitin (CsE)-based ones while preserving nanofiber structure. This innovative allows tuning modifying thermal, mechanical properties more importantly biodegradation abilities (fast enzymatic some cases slower on others) prepared nanofibrous mats. The established reproducible method offers unique advantage modulate membrane leading stable and/or (CsE) tailor-made for specific purposes field tissue engineering.