This study reports in situ crosslinking of electrospun alginate/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers using citric
acid. Porous, interconnected network of nanofibers (mean diameter¼250730 nm) were electrospun
from a homogeneous blend of sodium alginate-polyvinyl alcohol (1:1 weight ratio) containing 5 wt%
citric acid. Electrospun nanofibers were then cured at 140 1C for 2 h and conditioned at room
temperature before analysis. Crosslinked electrospun fibers were found thermally more stable and
relatively insoluble in both water and simulated body fluid (SBF). Nanofibers remained intact after being
immersed in deionized water or SBF for 2 days. On the other hand, the non-crosslinked electrospun
nanofibers dissolved immediately. No significant change in the mechanical properties of the crosslinked
alginate/PVA was observed after repetitive water immersion and drying cycles.