A new one-step electrospun polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers with uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles

This study makes electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers that are functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in one step using a new and environmentally safe process. This new approach dissolves PVA directly in a colloidal solution of pre-synthesized AgNPs. This solution is made utilizing industrial-grade glucose as a cheap and scalable reducing agent in an environmentally friendly fashion. This idea gets rid of hazardous surfactants and processing steps by exploiting PVA's dual role as a fiber-forming matrix and natural nanoparticle stabilizer. FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping showed that AgNPs were made with an average size of 90 ± 15 nm and were evenly spread throughout the PVA nanofibers. Adding AgNPs to the solution made it more conductive, which made the average fiber diameter go from 536 nm to 337 nm, making the fibers more uniform. This work creates a platform for making functional nanofibers that is strong, scalable, and cost-effective. The proposed materials might connect lab-scale innovation with industrial-scale production for antimicrobial wound dressings, smart packaging, water purification membranes, and sensor technologies.