In this study, we have investigated the effect of adding zinc chloride (ZnCl2) on polycaprolactone (PCL) before and after electrospinning. The rheological properties and conductivity of ZnCl2/PCL solutions were measured prior to the electrospinning process. The resultant electrospun mats were characterized by SEM, contact angle, FTIR, XRD, mechanical properties, as well as its antibacterial and stem cell proliferation assessment were tested. It was found that the fibers became finer by increasing the zinc salt content. Moreover, stability increased slightly up to 5% Zn-PCL and also the hydrophilicity has been enhanced by 52%. By adding ZnCl2, the degradation rate and mechanical properties were significantly increased. Also, the resultant mats have shown antibacterial properties against S. aureus than E. coli. From the stem cells proliferation study, it can be observed that by increasing ZnCl2, the stem cells proliferation was significantly increased. Grooved multichannel nerve conduits were successfully fabricated by rolling the electrospun mats produced on corn husks which has shown better cell alignment and attachment. Hence, adding zinc chloride is a facile biocompatible enhancement to polycaprolactone nanofibers to be used in nerve regeneration.
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