Hybrid green bionanocomposites based on chitosan/starch/gelatin and metallic nanoparticles for biological applications

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2023-12, Vol.253, p.127571-127571, Article 127571
• Main Authors: Filip, Daniela, Macocinschi, Doina, Nica, Simona Luminita, Asandulesa, Mihai, Condurache, Bogdan, Stoleru, Elena, Rata, Delia Mihaela, Bargan, Alexandra, Zaltariov, Mirela-Fernanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biopolymers; Inorganic filler; Multicomponent bionanocomposite
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127571

Multicomponent composites based on natural biopolymers: chitosan, starch and gelatin in two different ratios (0.5:1:1 and 1:1:1) were in situ crosslinked by intermolecular interactions and used as matrices for zinc oxide and magnetite fillers. The bionanocomposite films have been evaluated by spectral and microscopy methods: Fourier-Transform Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) confirming the electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between the components of the polymeric matrices and the inorganic fillers and the crosslinking process. AFM and SEM images showed a compact, non-porous and homogenous morphology of the hybrid films, proving a good miscibility of the blends. At lower concentrations of embedded filler, the composites were less hardened and more ductile due to the interaction with the polymeric matrix. Increased amounts of inorganic NPs led to the reduced mechanical properties of the prepared materials and increased thermal stability. The bionanocomposites revealed a similar behavior of the dielectric constant with frequency and increased values at higher temperatures. The wettability of the films' surface and the values of the water sorption capacity revealed a slight hydrophilicity of the bionanocomposites as compared with the initial matrices. The biocompatibility, evaluated by means of the surface free energy components and the interfacial tension with blood, and the hemolysis analysis demonstrated that the bionanocomposites possess a low risk of thrombosis, being promising materials for in vivo biomedical applications. •Bionanocomposites based on chitosan, starch and gelating have been prepared.•ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were used as fillers.•Structure, morphology, wettability, mechanical, thermal, dielectrical, magnetic properties were evaluated.•All the studied bionanocomposite samples are non-hemolytic.