Ulvan-Based Electrospun Nanofibres From Water Solutions: Process Conditions and Characterisations

Recently, marine biopolymers have attracted considerable attention due to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them ideal candidates in biomedical fields such as wound care, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. There are different types of marine biopolymers, including proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids. Ulvan is a sulphated polysaccharide that is underused compared to other algae-derived polymers, which is unfortunate given its interesting properties, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. This study explores the miscibility and electrospinning of ulvan/poly(ethylene oxide) blend solutions. Viscometric analysis highlighted strong interactions and good miscibility between ulvan and poly(ethylene oxide). Nanofibers were successfully produced from 10 wt.% solutions in a blend polymer ratio of 50:50, with optimal results under specific electrospinning conditions, yielding uniform, bead-free nanofibres (similar to 230 nm). Thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy revealed significant polymer interactions, evident through shifted thermal transitions and vibrational bands, indicating a possible water-mediated hydrogen bond between the polymers. These findings confirm that ulvan/poly(ethylene oxide) blends exhibit favorable miscibility, stable electrospinning behavior, and strong molecular interactions, supporting their suitability for nanofiber production.