Multifluid Side-by-Side Electrospun Tri-Layer Janus Fiber with Different Spinnable Solutions

Electrospinning technology has been developed for many years and continuously evolving to produce nanofibers for advanced healthcare solutions. By designing a suitable eccentric side-by-side spinneret and selecting appropriate spinnable solutions, multi-layer nanofiber with a side-by-side structure can be developed as a potential carrier for multi-drugs. The structured fiber can also provide a robust platform for various drug delivery systems. In this study, a specially designed eccentric side-by-side spinneret was used to conduct a tri-fluid side-by-side electrospinning process and utilized two spinnable solutions to drive one unspinnable solution. As a result, PVP/PVP-CA/CA tri-layer Janus fibers were successfully obtained. The prepared tri-layer Janus fiber has a smooth surface and distinguished inner structure as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Composite nanofiber had a 799 ± 183 nm diameter. Mechanical test gave 1.46 MPa tensile strength and 5.50% strain. The forming process of tri-layer fiber and the advantages of eccentric Janus spinneret was observed. By utilizing the interaction between working solutions allowing unspinnable solutions being used in this process could reduce the limitations of solutions that can be used and enhance the choice of drugs that could be incorporated. The tri-fluid side-by-side electrospinning can be a useful technology for preparing multi-channel and multi-drug loaded fibrous drug delivery systems.