Hybrid graphene oxide/polysaccharide nanocomposites with controllable surface properties and biocompatibility

Abstract

Herein, a strong interdependence between the composition of hybrid graphene oxide/hyaluronan/chitosan GO/HA/Chi multilayers and their surface properties and biocompatibility was demonstrated that can be used to build up coatings with desirable and precisely tunable properties. Both the position and the abundance of GO-layers into the polymer matrix were systematically varied to draw interconnection with the growth type, thickness, morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility. It was found that when deposited in-between the HA and Chi layers GO forms diffusion barrier, hindering the mobility of Chi-chains and changing the exponential film growth to linear. Incorporation of GO-layers into the biodegradable and highly hydrated HA/Chi matrix does not affect the final thickness, but has a dramatic impact on the surface morphology and roughness, which in turn tunes the hydrophilicity, protein adsorption and platelets adhesion. This provides an opportunity for various biomedical applications of the studied hybrid films as coatings with controllable surface properties.