Electrospun PLA/TiO2/HA/Tobramycin Nanofibers: Morphological and Thermal Characterization

Abstract

Electrospun polymeric nanofibers have received great attention in recent years due to their tunable morphology, high surface area, and potential biomedical applications. In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/titanium dioxide (TiO2)/hydroxyapatite (HA)/Tobramycin composite nanofibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning to investigate their morphological and thermal behaviors. Various concentrations were tested under fixed process parameters. Morphological features were analyzed using SEM, while thermal properties were evaluated via DSC, DTA, and TGA. Average fiber diameters ranged from 180 to 320 nm. Among the PLA-based nanocomposites (S1-S10), sample S9 showed the highest thermal resistance with a degradation temperature of 395.56 degrees C and sample S2 showed the highest mass loss (99.917%) . In contrast, sample S3 exhibited the lowest mass loss (98.134%), indicating improved thermal stability due to HA addition. Tobramycin-containing samples (S7, S10) demonstrated elevated Tg and broadened melting transitions. Overall, TiO2 and HA enhanced degradation resistance and crystallinity, while Tobramycin modulated thermal behavior. Although biological evaluations such as drug release, antibacterial efficacy and cytocompatibility were not conducted in this study, the material's composition and structural integrity suggest promising potential for future biomedical applications. These findings provide a foundational framework for further exploration of PLA-based nanocomposites in wound healing and drug delivery systems.