Flexible and Robust Piezoelectric Chitosan Films with Enhanced Bioactivity

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Chitosan (CHT) is a piezoelectric biomacromolecule with potential applications in wearable devices.
• However, its rapid degradation in aqueous environments limits its practical use.
• Developing stable and functional chitosan-based materials is crucial for advanced biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the stability and mechanical properties of chitosan films for biomedical applications.
• To investigate the piezoelectric properties and energy harvesting capabilities of the modified chitosan film.
• To evaluate the bioactivity, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and cellular responses under ultrasound stimulation.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan films were prepared using a solvent casting method.
• Alkaline cross-linking with sodium hydroxide was employed to improve stability and mechanical strength.
• Piezoelectric output, degradation resistance, antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and cellular responses under ultrasound stimulation were systematically evaluated.

Main Results:

• The cross-linked chitosan film demonstrated enhanced stability, remaining intact in aqueous environments for 30 days.
• A gradual increase in output voltage from 0.9 to 1.8 V was observed under applied forces ranging from 1 to 16 N.
• The material exhibited significant antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, along with enhanced cellular proliferation and migration under ultrasound stimulation.

Conclusions:

• This work presents a robust, biocompatible, and wearable chitosan film with improved stability and piezoelectric properties.
• The developed material can effectively convert biomechanical energy into electrical pulses.
• These electrical pulses can modulate cell fate processes and other bioactivities, highlighting its potential for advanced biomedical devices.