Performance Assessment: Chitosan Zinc Nanocomposites versus Hydrogel Nanocomposites for Enhanced Biological Applications

Abstract:

The present research proposes the comparison of chitosan zinc nanocomposites in the form of membranes and hydrogels. Three concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 wt%) of zinc (Zn) nanoparticle inclusion were used to create the chitosan nanocomposites for enhanced biological applications. Statistical analysis was performed with sample size N=16, an alpha error of 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI), and G-power at 80%, The nanocomposite variations were analyzed for their improved capabilities against chitosan for its antibacterial activity (mm), water uptake (%), and other visual parameters including SEM and FTIR. Independent T-test through SPSS software revealed that both nanocomposites were statistically significant with (p = 0.01, p<0.05) and (p=0.026, (p>0.05)). The current study proposes novel chitosan with zinc nanocomposites with enhanced biological activity and offers a future scope for improved biomedical applications.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1015)
• Pages: 51-56
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-It2tKf
• Online since: June 2025
• Authors: Kugarajah Vaidhegi*, F. Thabares, V. Muthukumar
• Keywords: Biomaterials, Chitosan, Hydrogel, Nanocomposites, Polymer, Zinc

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