Introduction: Nowadays, the study and use of naturally occurring polymers have gained increasing attention. Chitin and chitosan are the representatives of this structure. They are characterized by relevant to the present properties: high biological activity and compatibility with human, and animal tissues, environmental safety, the potentially far-reaching scope of application in environmental protection activities. Chitin and chitosan and their derivatives both have fiber- and film-forming properties due to the natural polymers in their structure.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and characterize electrically spun nanofiber chitosan membranes that were made in various concentrations and with various solvents.

Materials and methods: 10 ml of 99.9% acetic acid, 1,6 g of chitosan powder, and 1,6 g of polyethylene glycol (PEO) were mixed. To get the first sample, we firstly dissolved 0,2 g of polylactic acid (PLA) in 5 ml of chloroform (after dissolving the excess chloroform was removed). Afterward, we mix half of the basic one with the dissolved PLA. The second sample was received by combining the rest of the basic solution with 1,2 g of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two membranes obtained via the electrospinning process were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results: 100-299 nm fibers in diameter dominate for both samples. The bigger the size of the pores is in both samples, the less their number is. The quantity of 100-199 nm-sized fibers is in the second sample three times less than in the first sample. The amount of 200-299 nm-sized fibers is twice as big in the sample with PEG. The number of pores sized 0-99 nm² in the sample with the addition of PEG is bigger about two times, as well as pores sized up to 300-399 nm².

Conclusions: Evaluating the samples, we have got nanofibers in a range of sizes up to 499 nm. The size of the obtained fibers and pores depends on the solution composition. Chitosan nanofibers with bigger diameters and a more uniform distribution of both parameters (fiber diameters and porosity of chitosan membrane) are observed in the PEG added sample.

Acknowledgments: This research was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (0120U101972) and H2020-RISE project 777926.