Preparation and properties of chitosan–nanodiamond dispersions and composite films

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2019-10, Vol.98, p.107483, Article 107483
• Main Authors: Sukhova, Arina A., Gofman, Iosif V., Skorik, Yury A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Atomic force microscopy; Chitosan; Diamonds; Hydrochloric acid; Mechanical properties; Mechanical property; Microscopy; Nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Nanodiamond; Nanostructure; Rheological property
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2019.107483

Nanocomposite-forming solutions of chitosan in acetic acid (CS·HOAc) or hydrochloric acid (CS·HCl) and containing nanodiamonds (NDs) were produced without ultrasound treatment, and CS·HCl–ND and CS·HOAc–ND nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting. The NDs were uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix by stabilization of the dispersion with use of dilute CS·HOAc or CS·HCl solutions before mixing with the concentrated chitosan solutions. CS·HCl–ND and CS·HOAc–ND composite films were then prepared and characterized by the measurement of mechanical properties and by atomic force microscopy methods (topography, phase-contrast, and Kelvin probe force microscopy imaging). The differences in the structures and properties of the films produced on CS·HOAc and CS·HCl are discussed. A stronger interaction was found between phases in the CS·HCl–ND films than in the CS·HOAc–ND films. [Display omitted] •A gentle method is proposed to prepare CS-ND films with uniform ND distribution.•Dilute CS·HCl solution was proposed for stabilizing the ND dispersion.•The composite CS–ND films exhibited better mechanical properties than did the CS films.