Summary
Core–shell structured PEO–chitosan nanofibres were produced by coaxial electrospinning, feeding a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution through the inner (core) needle and a chitosan solution through the outer (shell) needle, both dissolved in aqueous acetic acid. The process yielded uniform, defect-free fibres of about 150–190 nm diameter, and hollow nanofibres could be obtained by subsequently washing out the sacrificial PEO core. The core–shell architecture, and the presence of chitosan on the fibre surface, were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy before and after washing and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the fibre composition matched the feed ratio, while FTIR confirmed compositional homogeneity and the efficiency of the PEO-removal step.