Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-PVP-nanocellulose composites for in-vitro wound dressing application

Biocompatible Chitosan/Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)/Nanocellulose (CPN) composites were successfully prepared by solution casting method. The prepared bionanocomposites were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra. TEM images revealed the average particle size of the nanocellulose is 6.1 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the composites was decreased with increasing concentration of nanocellulose. The CPN composites were characterized for physical properties like Thickness, Barrier properties and mechanical testing. Water vapor and oxygen permeability evaluations indicated that CPN composite could maintain a moist environment over wound bed. The nanocomposite showed enhanced swelling, blood compatibility and antibacterial activity. Cytotoxicity of the composite has been analyzed in normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. The results have shown the CPN3% composite shows a high level of antibacterial property when compared to the other composites. The biological study suggests that CPN3% composite may be a potential candidate as a wound healing material for biomedical application.