Chitosan-Functionalized Graphene Nanocomposite Films: Interfacial Interplay and Biological Activity
Natalia Wrońska,
Aicha Anouar,
Mounir El Achaby,
Katarzyna Zawadzka,
Marta Kędzierska,
Katarzyna Miłowska,
Nadia Katir,
Khalid Draoui,
Sylwia Różalska,
Ireneusz Piwoński,
Maria Bryszewska,
Abdelkrim El Kadib,
Katarzyna Lisowska
Affiliations
Natalia Wrońska
Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Aicha Anouar
Euromed Research Center, Engineering Division, Euro-Med University of Fes (UEMF), Route de Meknes, Rond-point de Bensouda, Fès 30070, Morocco
Mounir El Achaby
Materials Science and Nano-engineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660–Hay Moulay Rachid, Benguerir 43150, Morocco
Katarzyna Zawadzka
Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Marta Kędzierska
Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Katarzyna Miłowska
Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Nadia Katir
Euromed Research Center, Engineering Division, Euro-Med University of Fes (UEMF), Route de Meknes, Rond-point de Bensouda, Fès 30070, Morocco
Khalid Draoui
Materials and Interfacial Systems Laboratory (MSI), Faculty of Sciences, Abdel Malek Essaadi University, B.P. 2121, M’hannech II, Tetouan 930000, Morocco
Sylwia Różalska
Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Ireneusz Piwoński
Department of Materials Technology and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz, 163 Pomorska Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Maria Bryszewska
Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Abdelkrim El Kadib
Euromed Research Center, Engineering Division, Euro-Med University of Fes (UEMF), Route de Meknes, Rond-point de Bensouda, Fès 30070, Morocco
Katarzyna Lisowska
Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
Graphene oxide (GO) has recently captured tremendous attention, but only few functionalized graphene derivatives were used as fillers, and insightful studies dealing with the thermal, mechanical, and biological effects of graphene surface functionalization are currently missing in the literature. Herein, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), phosphorylated graphene oxide (PGO), and trimethylsilylated graphene oxide (SiMe3GO) were prepared by the post-modification of GO. The electrostatic interactions of these fillers with chitosan afforded colloidal solutions that provide, after water evaporation, transparent and flexible chitosan-modified graphene films. All reinforced chitosan−graphene films displayed improved mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial (S. aureus, E. coli) properties compared to native chitosan films. Hemolysis, intracellular catalase activity, and hemoglobin oxidation were also observed for these materials. This study shows that graphene functionalization provides a handle for tuning the properties of graphene-reinforced nanocomposite films and customizing their functionalities.
