Preparation and characterization of chitosan-bentonite nanocomposite films for wound healing application

A series of novel chitosan-bentonite nanocomposite (CBN) films were prepared by using solvent casting method for wound healing application. The physicochemical properties namely thickness, folding endurance, water absorption capacity, and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of the films were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to ascertain the interaction between negatively charged bentonite and positively charged chitosan. The surface morphology of the prepared composite films was also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that WVTR, water absorption capacity, thickness, and folding endurance of the CBN films were 1093±20.5-1954±51gm^-2day^-1, 1232±14.58-1688±18.52, 17.50±5-42.50±9.75μm, and 145.25±2.21-289.50±0.57 respectively. Due to strong hydrophilic nature of bentonite, it greatly enhances the water absorption capacities of the prepared nanocomposite films. In addition, the presence of bentonite in the said films also increases the mechanical strength. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the films was investigated against gram positive and gram negative. It was found that all CBN films showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested bacteria as compared to control. The above analysis suggested that the CBN films could be used as potential candidates for wound healing application.