Development of ZnO-NPs reinforced chitosan nanofiber mats with improved antibacterial and biocompatibility properties
Parva Safari, Eshagh Zakipour Rahimabadi, Mohammad Reza Vaezi, Aliasghar Behnamghader, Reza Tahergorabi
Abstract
This paper studied the possibility of fabricating a nano-composite based on chitosan incorporated with ZnO-NPs as a promising textile for wound dressing purposes. The nanofiber mat was obtained from dispersions of ZnO-NPs in chitosan-based solution blended with PVA (Cs/PVA/ZnO-NPs scaffold). The extracted chitosan was characterized using FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, and TGA analysis. The electrospinning optimization process was successfully done for Cs and PVA mixture and a good combination of polymers, solvent, and the ratios developed through an optimization process (10wt.% PVA and 1wt.% CS in AcAcetic 80%). The nanofibers had an average diameter below 200 nm, while the incorporation of ZnO-NPs decreased their average diameter below 150 nm. FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD analysis were used to evaluate the scaffold structure. The FE-SEM analysis proved the smooth and bead-free morphology of the fibers. Elemental analysis of the mat revealed a good distribution of ZnO-NPs along nanofibers. Cell culture studies with L929 mouse fibroblast cells revealed good viability of the cell on the Cs/PVA/ZnO-NPs scaffold. The nanoparticles improved capability of the mat for growth inhibition rate of bacterial colonies and also its wettability. The results also showed the nontoxicity of CS/PVA/ZnO-NPs composite and its considerable potential for future application in wound dressing.