Preparation of Amphiphilic Chitosan–Graphene Oxide–Cellulose Nanocrystalline Composite Hydrogels and Their Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Environmental-friendly nanocomposite hydrogels of carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC), graphene oxide (GO) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were combined to produce a bio-hydrogel with great biocompatibility and antibacterial ability. The size of the GO nanosheets was about 200−500 nm, and the CNCs had a length of 100−200 nm and a width of 10−20 nm, as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was utilized for the analysis of the oxygen functional groups of GO. The homogeneous dispersion of the CHC/GO/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel showed significantly higher water absorption capacity and water retention capability. In addition, inhibition of a variety of microorganisms (gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and fungi) by the introduction of the CHC/GO/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrated that there is a great opportunity to use it in the bio-medical field, such as for plastic masks and wound dressings.

Keywords

• amphiphatic chitosan
• cellulose nanocrystals
• graphene oxide
• nanocomposite hydrogel
• antibacterial ability