The Usage of Electrospinning to Prepare Chitosan Fiber Films to Replace Traditional Sanitary Napkin Materials

Abstract

Conventional disposable sanitary pads are predominantly plastic-based and pose environmental and potential health risks. This study explores biodegradable alternatives by electrospinning chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend nanofibrous membranes under three processing conditions, followed by characterization via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle, and water uptake tests. Reducing the feed rate and slightly increasing the tip-to-collector distance markedly improved fiber continuity and pore network formation. The best-performing sample (Sample 3: 15% PVA1750, 0.1 mL·h⁻¹, 10 cm) exhibited a continuous, uniform, and defect-minimized mesh with the strongest hydrophilicity (contact angle 23.22° ± 5.86°) and the highest water uptake (~1300%), outperforming Sample 1 (~375%) and Sample 2 (~414%), and greatly exceeding a hydrophobic PVDF control (~71%). These results indicate that electrospun CS/PVA nanofibers combine high absorbency with strong wettability and are promising candidates to replace plastic absorbent layers in sanitary pads. Limitations include relatively small specimen dry masses leading to larger relative errors and a non-exhaustive parameter space. Future work will employ orthogonal/response-surface designs and crosslinking/surface modifications, alongside mechanical, breathability, antibacterial, and biocompatibility evaluations to advance material readiness.