Synthesis, mechanical properties of fluorescent carbon dots loaded nanocomposites chitosan film for wound healing and drug delivery

Abstract

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials and have demonstrated excellent optical properties, good biocompatibility, great aqueous solubility, low cost, simple synthesis, etc. Since their discovery, various synthesis methods using different precursors have been developed, and are mainly classified as top-down and bottom-up approaches. The contact angle measurements revealed that wettability of plain chitosan film reduced due to addition of carbon nanoparticles. It was found that, impregnation of carbon dots into chitosan film resulted in an almost seven fold decrease in the water absorption capacity of the film. The equilibrium moisture uptake (EMU) data of plain chitosan and CQD-loaded chitosan films were interpreted by GAB isotherm and related parameters were also evaluated. Finally, the moisture permeation capacities of the plain Ch and Carbon dots loaded sample Ch/CNP was found to be 1758 and 956 g/m2/day. In addition, Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was found 24.2 mg/m2 for plain sample while it decreased to 14.1 mg/m2 as CDs were incorporated into film matrix. The anti-oxidant property was evaluated in terms of % scavenging of DPPH, SO and Hydroxyl radicals. It was observed that for all the free radicals, % scavenging increased with increase in CDs contents in the films.