Interfacial interactions in electrospun PVA-MC/MXene nanofibers: A route to enhanced dielectric and antimicrobial properties

Abstract

This study comprehensively investigates the structural, electrical, biological, and functional properties of electrospun PVA-MC/MXene fiber nanocomposites prepared by incorporating MXene into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-methyl cellulose (MC) matrix. The inclusion of MXene notably refined the fiber morphology, reducing the average diameter from 214 nm to 86 nm at a 5 wt% MXene concentration. EDX-MAP analyses confirmed homogeneous elemental distribution at 5 wt%, while Ti clustering was observed at 10 wt%. Surface characterization revealed enhanced hydrophilicity, with the contact angle decreasing from 55.2 degrees to 49.2 degrees and total surface free energy increasing from 59.02 mN/m to 64.33 mN/m. Thermal analyses indicated improved stability, as the onset degradation temperature rose from 290 degrees C to 315 degrees C and the glass transition temperature from 110 degrees C to 121 degrees C. The dielectric constant (epsilon') increased to 10.5 with 10 wt% MXene, consistent with interfacial polarization governed by the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars mechanism. AC conductivity improved from 10(-8) S/cm at 10(3) Hz to 10(-5) S/cm at 10(6) Hz. Biologically, DPPH radical scavenging efficiency reached 53 %, showing a similar to 20 % enhancement over pristine PVA-MC. Antimicrobial activity also increased, with inhibition zones expanding from 12 mm to 15 mm for E. coli and from 9 mm to 14 mm for C. albicans. Overall, PVA-MC/MXene nanocomposites exhibit superior dielectric, thermal, and biological characteristics, making them promising candidates for applications in energy storage, biomedical coatings, wound dressings, smart sensors, and filtration systems.Afyon Kocatepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitThis study has been supported by the Afyon Kocatepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit. The Project Number is 25.FENED.05