ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of alginate-based nanocomposites: a novel approach to antibacterial films

Azeem Bibi, Sadiq ur-Rehman, Tasleem Akhtar, Kulsoom Akhter, Sidra Rafique, and Rashida Faiz

Department of Chemistry, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

E-mail: srkhattak@gmail.com

Received: 31 October 2021  Accepted: 26 January 2022

Abstract:

Nanocomposite films of alginate–chitosan (Algi+Chito) with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are prepared by a solution casting method. Advanced instrumental techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-rays diffractometry (XRD) are used for characterization of prepared materials. SEM and TEM indicated the uniform dispersion of COOH-MWCNTs and ZnO in the Algi+Chito matrix, while the presence of interionic interactions between alginate (Algi), chitosan (Chito), and COOH-MWCNTs/ZnO is represented by FTIR. The amorphous structure, as well as some crystallinity in prepared films, is indicated by XRD. Results of degradation/stability revealed that the prepared nanocomposites are more stable (stable up to 7 days) and convoluted (having lower swelling) compared to pristine Algi+Chito. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli are the pathogens that were inhibited to grow by synthesized nanocomposites. Films showed good inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus (54 ± 3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (86 ± 1%), and Escherichia coli (62 ± 2%), pathogens. Synthesized materials are also compared with standard drug (ampicillin) in terms of % inhibition by using NCSS Statistics software. The developed Algi+Chito/MWCNTs (C90) and Algi+Chito/MWCNTs/ZnO [C90(ZnO)] films have a huge potential to act as good antibacterial materials for industrial and biomedical applications. The stability of synthesized films in neutral, basic, and acidic media also revealed their abilities to apply in water treatment, wound dressing, and food packaging materials.

Keywords: Nanocomposites; Alginate–chitosan; Carbon nanotubes; Antimicrobial; Zinc oxide

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02107-1

Chemical Papers 76 (6) 3425–3435 (2022)