The effect of ultraviolet exposure on physical properties of electrospun nanofiber membrane based on polyvinyl alcohol and aloe vera

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in biomaterial synthesis is commonly used to do sterilization and to improve the physical characteristics. This study is aimed to study the characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol-Aloe vera (PVA-AV) nanofibers from electrospinning process, that was exposed by UV for 6 h with various power of 8, 10, 15, and 20 W. The physical properties of the fiber were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) test, and water absorption test. The SEM images showed that the nanofibers were formed with s homogeneous structure and no bead was observed. The diameter and the thickness of the nanofibers are increased with the increase of the power of UV exposed to the samples. The biggest diameter was 319.60 ± 56.17 nm obtained at UV exposure power of 20 W. The FTIR test result indicated that there was no new chemical bond after the PVA-AV was exposed by UV. Meanwhile, the DSC test showed that the increase of power could increase the melting temperature (Tm) with the highest value of 189.51°C at UV exposure power of 20 W. The water absorption test showed that the highest water absorption was 739.6 % obtained at UV exposure power of 20 W.