Papers by Keyword: Chitosan

Abstract: The development of biocomposite nanofiber-based wound dressing materials using Polylactic Acid (PLA), cellulose, and chitosan was carried out through the electrospinning method. The ideal wound dressing should be biocompatible, biodegradable, antibacterial, and able to maintain optimal wound moisture with its water resistance. In this study, various material compositions and electrospinning feed rates were applied to study their effects on water resistance. The solution mixing process was carried out using Dichloromethane and Dimethylformamide solvents, followed by electrospinning at a voltage of 20 kV with a feed rate ranging from 5 ml/hour to 9 ml/hour, characterization included hydrophobicity testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The resulting nanofiber-based wound dressing, based on hydrophobicity testing, was found to have the lowest contact angle value at a feed rate of 6 ml/hour with a 100% PLA composition of 77.9096°, and the highest contact angle value at a feed rate of 6 ml/hour with a chitosan and cellulose composition of 89.37°. This indicates that the combination of cellulose and chitosan is able to maintain stable surface properties despite changing process conditions. Overall, the effect of flow rate on surface properties is strongly influenced by material composition, which ultimately determines the contact angle. This contact angle value plays a crucial role in determining water resistance, whether the surface tends to be hydrophilic (readily absorbs water) or hydrophobic (repels water). Keywords: Wound Dressing, Nanofiber, Polylactic Acid, Cellulose, Chitosan, Electrospinning

Abstract: The increasing demand for clean water necessitates the development of advanced and cost-effective treatment technologies. Nanofiltration (NF) membranes offer high efficiency in removing divalent ions, but their application is often limited by membrane fouling and stability issues. While various polymer blends have been studied to address these limitations, the effect of incorporating chitosan (CS) into polyethylene glycol/cellulose acetate (PEG/CA) membranes for treating calcium-rich water remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of CS incorporation on the performance of PEG/CA NF membranes, specifically focusing on water flux and salt rejection in the removal of calcium carbonate from simulated groundwater. Membranes with 1–3 wt % CS were fabricated and compared to unmodified PEG/CA membranes. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed CS presence, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological changes. Performance testing showed that the 1 % CS membrane had the highest water flux, whereas the 3 % CS membrane achieved the highest salt rejection. An inverse relationship between flux and rejection was observed with increasing CS content. Statistical analysis confirmed significant performance differences between modified and unmodified membranes. These results indicate that chitosan incorporation enhances NF membrane performance, offering a promising approach for improving water purification systems, particularly for hard water treatment.

Abstract: Synthetic dyes such as methyl orange (MO) are persistent water pollutants that pose serious environmental and health hazards due to their toxicity and resistance to biodegradation. Developing efficient, sustainable, and reusable adsorbents for dye removal remains a major challenge in wastewater treatment. This study presents the design and optimization of chitosan/polyethyleneimine/graphene oxide (CS/PEI/GO) hydrogel nanocomposite beads synthesized through controlled cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GLA) for enhanced adsorption of MO from aqueous solutions. A Box–Behnken experimental design coupled with response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the effects of PEI, GO, and GLA concentrations on adsorption capacity. Statistical analysis confirmed the high significance of the cubic model (F = 38.34, p = 0.0001) with a non-significant lack of fit, validating its strong predictive reliability. PEI concentration had the most pronounced effect, providing protonated amine sites for electrostatic interaction with the anionic dye, while GO increased surface area and provided oxygen-containing groups that enhanced hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. GLA served as a cross-linker to stabilize the hydrogel structure without deactivating active sites. The optimized composition (2.0% PEI, 900 ppm GO, and 2.5% GLA) achieved a predicted adsorption capacity of 23.16 ± 1.05 mg/g, which closely matched the experimentally obtained value of 23.31 ± 1.19 mg/g, with only 2.2% deviation. These findings confirm that the CS/PEI/GO hydrogel nanocomposite provides a balanced integration of structural stability, functional site availability, and high adsorption efficiency, demonstrating its potential as a scalable, eco-friendly material for advanced dye removal and sustainable wastewater treatment.

Abstract: Adsorbent beads composed of Chitosan (CS), MIL-101 (Fe), and Polyethyleneimine (PEI) were synthesized for Methyl Orange (MO) adsorption. Parametric studies testing the effects of pH and number of adsorption and desorption cycles on percent MO removal showed the beads’ good performance across a wide range of conditions. A percent MO removal of at least 93% was maintained from pH 2 to pH 9 with a maximum percent removal of 98.6% obtained at pH 3. In addition, the beads remained functional for at least 5 cycles of adsorption and desorption with a percent MO removal of 98% across the cycles. Kinetic modeling was performed and a pseudo-second order kinetic model with an R² of 0.981 was obtained implying chemisorption as the rate limiting step. Adsorption equilibrium data for MO were best fitted into the Sips isotherm model which suggests that adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface. From the Sips isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 1253.44 mg/g, highlighting the viability of CS – MIL-101 (Fe) – PEI beads as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Abstract: A mild, solvent-free method for the encapsulation of curcumin in chitosan–carrageenan nanoparticles was developed by introducing curcumin after polyelectrolyte complex formation but before crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). This approach was carried out to promote effective encapsulation without interfering with the electrostatic interactions essential for nanoparticle formation. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions among curcumin, chitosan, and carrageenan. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed an increase in nanoparticle size upon curcumin loading, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided morphological evidence supporting encapsulation within the nanoparticle matrix. These results confirm the successful encapsulation of curcumin into chitosan–carrageenan nanoparticles using a strategy that preserves nanoparticle integrity while minimizing curcumin loss. The resulting system presents a promising, eco-friendly platform for curcumin delivery with broad potential in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, packaging, and food-related applications.

Abstract: Bone regeneration is a complex physiological process that helps in healing of fractured bone and maintaining skeletal integrity. Chitosan and Hydroxyapatite (HAp) are bio-materials that enhance bone regeneration. The synergistic influence draws the attention of researchers to the use of Chitosan-HAp composite for bone regeneration. However, there is a need to explore more on material properties, fabrication techniques, biological mechanisms and challenges in bone regeneration applications. The biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and synergistic effects of chitosan and HAp play a vivid role in bone regeneration. This paper explores recent advancements in the development of scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix and promote effective bone healing, fabrication techniques such as freeze-drying, 3D printing and nanotechnology, it also explores limitations regarding mechanical properties, scalability, and regulatory hurdles despite the promising attributes of chitosan-HAp composites. The findings show that the use of machine-learning (ML) in forecasting design output and preclinical applications can improve the composite development for effective bone regeneration. Therefore, future research directions should focus on alternative biopolymers, and employ ML techniques to enhance scaffold design and functionality to optimise material properties.

Abstract: In this study, a multifunctional air filtration material was developed by coating polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric with a chitosan/TiO₂ (P25) composite. The aim was to enhance air filtration efficiency. The chitosan–P25 composite was applied onto the PP nonwoven via a solution spray method followed by drying. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a uniform coating layer with good adherence to the PP fiber surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline TiO₂ in the P25 phases, as well as the semi-crystalline nature of the PP substrate. Air permeability tests showed a moderate reduction in air flow rate due to surface coating, while maintaining acceptable breathability for filter applications.

Abstract: Development of drug eluting biodegradable cardiovascular stent materials offers a promising alternative to conventional bare metallic stents due to their excellent biocompatibility and ability to eliminate long-term complications associated with permanent implants. The study presents a novel drug-eluting bilayer coating comprising inner calcium phosphate (CaP), titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and outer DEX-loaded chitosan for magnesium alloy stents. The coating is engineered to enhance corrosion resistance, promote biocompatibility and provide controlled drug release to mitigate restenosis and inflammation. The synergistic properties of CaP-TiO₂ improve the structural stability of the coating, while the chitosan matrix ensures effective drug delivery. In-vitro corrosion measurements and drug release kinetics demonstrate the coating’s potential for dual-functionality as a biodegradable barrier and a therapeutic agent carrier respectively. The innovative approach highlights a significant step towards the development of biodegradable drug-eluting stents tailored for cardiovascular applications.

Abstract: The growing demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based polymer materials has driven the development of bio-based materials. Among them, chitosan stands out as a promising biopolymer due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, its hydrophilicity, causing high water absorption, limits its practical applications. In this study, tannic acid was employed as a cross-linking agent, and chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) were introduced as a reinforcing agent to enhance the properties of the chitosan-based films. The incorporation of ChNFs significantly improved the tensile stress of the films without compromising their transparency. Furthermore, the cross-linked chitosan films with ChNFs exhibited excellent UV-blocking capabilities. This highlights their potential as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based polymers.

Abstract: Polymer Electrolyte Membranes (PEM) is an important component in a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) system that has a primary function as a proton conductor and separator between a cathode and anode. Due to the awareness of the comprehensive methanol crossover issue in the commercially available Nafion membrane, however, the main parameter of PEM for DMFC is low methanol permeability. The chitosan-based inorganic hybrid membrane is a promising organic–inorganic hybrid for the development of high-performance PEM. The study of composite membranes as PEM was initiated with the synthesis of silica from POFA (palm oil fuel ash). Using the phase inversion technique, the chitosan was mixed with silica filler in an acetic solution to produce Ch/Silica composite membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis shows that pure silica has been successfully synthesized from POFA and can interact with chitosan in the layer of the membrane structure which is supported by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra results. Water uptake shows a value of 75%, while methanol uptake with a low value of 52%. The addition of silica gives the membrane the ability to reduce methanol crossover as indicated by the low value of methanol permeability of 0.00027 mg cm²s^-1. However, this membrane has good proton exchange performance as indicated by the Ion Exchange Capacity value of 1.56 mmol g^-1. These results indicate that the composite membrane of chitosan with silica from POFA has the potential as PEM in direct methanol fuel cell applications.