Enhancement of the dynamic mechanical properties of chitosan thin films by crosslinking with greenly synthesized silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Over the last decade, chitosan films have promising applications due to their biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, and mucoadhesive nature; haemostatic effects; as well as antimicrobial and biological activities. The conjugation of chitosan with green synthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) to form a nanocomposite film will greatly affect the structural properties of chitosan film. This study aimed to evaluate the physical properties of chitosan films doped with different concentrations of SNPs (100–400 μg). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were measured for pure chitosan and chitosan films doped with SNPs (100–400 μg). XRD pattern for chitosan film doped with the highest concentration of SNPs (400 μg) showed a decrease in the crystallinity of the chitosan matrix compared with the other doped films. Also, DMA results showed that the storage modulus of the nanocomposite films is dependent on the concentration of SNPs. Accordingly, chitosan film doped with high concentration of SNPs (400 μg) affected the structure and viscoelastic behaviour of chitosan. Thus, the integration of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using aloe vera extract with chitosan films identifies promising candidate in biomedical applications.

Keywords

• Chitosan
• Thin films
• Silver nanoparticles
• Dynamic mechanical analysis
• X-ray diffraction