Thin-films composed of chitosan/graphene oxide with enhanced mechanical properties

Chitosan (CS) is a linear polysaccharide composed of partially deacetylated chitin, which is widely investigated for its properties in the biomedicine. Recently graphene and graphene based composites are emerging as better materials to fabricate scaffolds. Addition of graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets (GO nPs) in bioactive polymers was found to enhance its biocompatibility.Chitosan/graphene oxide composite films have been prepared by mixing aqueous solution of chitosan and graphene oxide in the presence of diluted acetic acid. The structure, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the composite films have been investigated by the wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, and mechanical test. The results obtained from those different studies revealed that chitosan and graphene oxide could mix with each other homogeneously and the mechanical properties of the as-prepared films were significantly improved compared to the pure chitosan film, especially at wet state. The tensile strength of the film of chitosan/graphene oxide was higher than that of the pure chitosan film. The composite films have potential application as biomaterials or packing materials. Herein, we report wound dressing using graphene oxide mixed with CS film prepared by casting method

Keywords:

Wound dressing , Chitosan , Graphene Oxide