Fabrication and Characterization of Core–Shell Nanofibers: Linseed Oil Encapsulated in Ethyl Cellulose Electrospun Nanofibers

Ethyl cellulose (EC) is one of the most abundant natural polymers with outstanding properties. Between various forms of EC, EC fibers have been used for food industries, drug delivery, and medical applications. In this study, we developed an EC nanofibrous membrane containing linseed oil (LO) via the electrospinning method. The effect of solvent composition, including two different ratios of ethanol: deionized water (80:20 and 90:10) and polymer concentrations (8–15 wt.%), on the properties of the fibers was investigated. Results revealed that using the solvent volume ratio of 80:20 and 12 wt.% of EC provided more uniform and bead-free EC nanofibers, determined as the optimum composition for producing nanofibers. Moreover, LO was successfully loaded into the nanofibers. The presence of LO in the EC nanofibers was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. The fiber morphology was uniform, bead-free, and continuous, with an average diameter of 281 nm  ± 86 nm. Building on this work, EC nanofibers containing different drugs could be produced and used in sustained released systems in a wide range of applications.