Hexagonal Boron Nitride Doped PVA Composite Nanofibers for Antimicrobial and Biocompatible Applications

Abstract

In this study, boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNPs) doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofibers were fabricated cost-effectively and straightforwardly using the electrospinning technique. The uniform PVA/BN composite nanofibers were measured as 376.26 ± 59.20 nm, observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The presence of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BNNPs) was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results indicated enhanced structural stability and the formation of new functional groups. Water absorption tests showed that the hydrophobic nature of BNNP is dominant. The degradation rate of the PVA/BN was found to be faster than PVA nanofibers. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that PVA/BN fibers exhibited inhibition zones against Escherichia coli (8.78 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (6.82 mm), and Candida albicans (21.54 mm). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) results reinforced these findings, with PVA/BN fibers achieving an impressive inhibition rate of 89.56% against E. coli. Utilizing the MTT assay, biocompatibility tests indicated cell viability rates exceeding 98% for PVA/BN fibers, confirming their safety for biomedical applications. This study illustrates that PVA/BN composite nanofibers enhance their antimicrobial and hydrophilic properties, leading to multifunctional materials for advanced tissue engineering.