Neat Chitosan Research Articles

Enhancement of mechanical, barrier, and functional properties of chitosan film reinforced with glycerol, COS, and gallic acid for active food packaging

The demand for eco-friendly and natural food packaging materials has sparked considerable interest in the research and development of sustainable active packaging materials. In this study, a chitosan-based film was developed using glycerol as a plasticiser, chitooligosaccharide (COS) as an additive, and gallic acid as a cross-linking agent. The physical, barrier, mechanical, morphological, thermal, and functional properties of fabricated films were measured. The bio-composite film showed significantly lower moisture content (from 24.28 to 17.01%), water solubility (from 41.56% to 31.03%), water vapour permeability (14.63 to 9.79 × 10−9 gm−1s−1Pa−1), and light transmittance (from 63.67% to 21.71%) compared to neat chitosan film. Furthermore, the bio-composite film exhibited higher tensile strength (57.66 MPa) and elongation at break (88.76%), smooth microstructure, strong DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging capacity, and good antimicrobial activity towards E. coli, L. innocua, and S. cerevisiae, and non-toxic to HaCaT cells indicating promising potential for use in sustainable active food packaging.

Influence of chitin nanofibers and gallic acid on physical-chemical and biological performances of chitosan-based films

In this work, chitosan films loaded with gallic acid and different content of chitin nanofibers were prepared and subjected to different characterization techniques. The results showed that the inclusion of gallic acid to chitosan films caused moderate decrease in water vapor permeability (by 29 %) and increased tensile strength of films (by 169 %) in comparison to the neat chitosan films. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of chitin nanofibers up to 30 % into chitosan/gallic acid films additionally improved tensile strength (by 474 %) and reduced plasticity of films (by 171 %), when compared to the chitosan/gallic acid films. Increased concentration of chitin nanofibers in films reduced the overall water vapor permeability of films by 51 %. In addition, gallic acid and chitin nanofibers had synergic effect on high chitosan film's antioxidant and antifungal activity toward Botrytis cinerea (both above 95 %). Finally, chitosan/gallic acid/chitin nanofibers films reduced decay incidence of strawberries, increased total soluble solid content, and promoted high production of some polyphenols during cold storage, in comparison to the control chitosan films and uncoated strawberry samples. Hence, these results suggest that chitosan/gallic acid/chitin nanofibers can present eco-sustainable approach for preservation of strawberries, giving them additional nutritional value.

Mechanistic Insights into the Selectivity for Arsenic over Phosphate Adsorption by Fe3+-Cross-Linked Chitosan Using DFT.

Fe3+-cross-linked chitosan exhibits the potential for selectively adsorbing arsenic (As) over competing species, such as phosphate, for water remediation. However, the effective binding mechanisms, bond nature, and controlling factor(s) of the selectivity are poorly understood. This study employs ab initio calculations to examine the competitive binding of As(V), P(V), and As(III) to neat chitosan and Fe3+-chitosan. Neat chitosan fails to selectively bind As oxyanions, as all three oxyanions bind similarly via weak hydrogen bonds with preferences of P(V) = As(V) > As(III). Conversely, Fe3+-chitosan selectively binds As(V) over As(III) and P(V) with binding energies of -1.9, -1, and -1.8 eV for As(V), As(III), and P(V), respectively. The preferences are due to varying Fe3+-oxyanion donor-acceptor characteristics, forming covalent bonds with distinct strengths (Fe-O bond ICOHP values: - 4.9 eV/bond for As(V), - 4.7 eV/bond for P(V), and -3.5 eV/bond for As(III)). Differences in pKa between As(V)/P(V) and As(III) preclude any preference for As(III) under typical environmental pH conditions. Furthermore, our calculations suggest that the binding selectivity of Fe3+-chitosan exhibits a pH dependence. These findings enhance our understanding of the Fe3+-oxyanion interaction crucial for preferential oxyanion binding using Fe3+-chitosan and provide a lens for further exploration into alternative transition-metal-chitosan combinations and coordination chemistries for applications in selective separations.

Investigation of Roughness, Morphology, and Wettability Characteristics of Biopolymer Composite Coating on SS 316L for Biomedical Applications.

This project aims to create a 316L stainless steel coated with a biocomposite based on chitosan for use in the biomedical industry. To completely coat the material, the dip-coating technique was used to apply plain chitosan, chitosan nanosilver, chitosan biotin, and chitosan-nanosilver-biotin in that order. This coating's surface morphology was investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Surface roughness, average size distribution, and 2D and 3D surface tomography were all investigated using scanning probe microscopy and atomic force microscopy (SPM and AFM). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique was used to quantify changes in functional groups. To evaluate the coated samples' wettability, contact angle measurements were also performed. The chitosan (CS) + nanosilver, CS + biotin, and CS + biotin + nanosilver-coated 316L stainless steel showed roughness values of about 8.68, 4.21, and 3.3 nm, respectively, compared with the neat chitosan coating, which exhibits 12 nm roughness, indicating a strong effect of biotin and nanosilver on surface topography whereas the coating layers were homogenous, measuring around 33 nm in thickness. For CS + nanosilver and CS + biotin, the average size of agglomerates was approximately 444 nm and 355 nm, respectively. The coatings showed adequate wettability for biomedical applications, were homogeneous, and had no cracks. Their contact angles were around 51-75 degrees. All of these results point to the composite coating's intriguing potential for use in biological applications.

Anticorrosive properties of chitosan-derivatives coatings on Mg AZ31 alloy in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution

This study describes the preparation of chitosan-derivatives coatings on AZ31 Mg alloy for corrosion protection in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). The derivatives were prepared by reacting chitosan with natural aldehydes (vanillin, benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde) and the coatings were characterized by means of water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy and swelling essays. The corrosion behavior of the samples was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and hydrogen evolution essays. All derivatives present superior corrosion protection than neat chitosan and the best performance is observed for the vanillin derivative with the highest modification degree, which present hydrogen evolution rate of 0.05 mL cm−2 day−1, below the tolerance limit for biomedical application, and |Z|max in the order of 104.6 Ω cm2 even after 14 days of exposure to the corrosive solution.

Dielectric characterisation of chitosan-based composite membranes containing fractionated kraft and organosolv lignin

Chitosan-based composite membranes with fractionated kraft and organosolv lignin were prepared by solvent casting. A small lignin fraction (1%) was added to the neat chitosan to obtain a good distribution. The influence of lignin extraction with ethyl acetate and consequently ethanol on the dielectric and conductive properties of the composites was investigated by dielectric thermal analysis (DETA). Overall, the chitosan-lignin composites exhibit three relaxation mechanisms (β, βwet, and α) and two conductivity phenomena (σ and MWS). FTIR analysis showed that the composites with organosolv lignin fractions have fewer hydroxyl groups than those with kraft lignin, which decreases slightly further for both after ethanol extraction. The lignin fractions with lower molecular weight and higher OH content show stronger interactions with chitosan, due to hydrogen bonding. These interactions affect the thermal activation and cooperativity of the β-, βwet, and α-relaxation. Furthermore, the kraft lignin fractions with many polar groups are very compatible with the chitosan matrix, resulting in a more compact structure and higher fragility. The membranes CS OLEA and CS KLE have a lower electron conductivity and a higher proton conductivity. Thus, they have promising conductivity properties for fuel cell applications.

Sustainable food packaging: Harnessing biowaste of Terminalia catappa L. for chitosan-based biodegradable active films for shrimp storage

Shrimp, a globally consumed perishable food, faces rapid deterioration during storage and marketing, causing nutritional and economic losses. With a rising environmental consciousness regarding conventional plastic packaging, consumers seek sustainable options. Utilizing natural waste resources for packaging films strengthens the food industry. In this context, we aim to create chitosan-based active films by incorporating Terminalia catappa L. leaves extract (TCE) to enhance barrier properties and extend shrimp shelf life under refrigeration. Incorporation of TCE improves mechanical, microstructural, UV, and moisture barrier properties of the chitosan film due to cross-linking interactions, resulting in robust, foldable packaging film. Active TCE film exhibits high antioxidant property due to polyphenols. These films also exhibited low wettability and showed hydrophobicity than neat CH films which is essential for meat packaging. These biodegradable films offer an eco-friendly end-of-life option when buried in soil. TCE-loaded films effectively control spoilage organisms, prevent biochemical spoilage, and maintain shrimp freshness compared to neat CH films during refrigerated condition. The active TCE film retains sensory attributes better than neat chitosan, aligning with consumer preference. The developed edible and active film from waste sources might offer sustainable, alternative packaging material with a lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based sources.

Biophysical stimulation for bone regeneration using a chitosan/barium titanate ferroelectric composite.

Herein we report the synthesis of a ferroelectric composed of chitosan (C)/barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles (NPs) with enhanced biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and piezoelectric behavior that can be advantageously used in biomedical applications. FTIR and SEM measurements were performed to assess the mechanism of interaction between the C matrix and BT NPs and their correlation with the biological responses. The dielectric measurements of the as-prepared composites reveal that incorporation of 50% BT NPs in the chitosan matrix leads to a steady increase of the dielectric constant as compared with neat chitosan films. The ferroelectric behavior of the sample was confirmed by the values of the loss factor (0.21-0.003) in the analyzed frequency range (10-1-106 Hz). This behavior suggests that ferroelectric C/BT nanocomposites can act as an active material that promotes accelerated bone regeneration.

Polyelectrolyte Complexation of Chitosan and WS2 Nanotubes

AbstractThe inclusion of tungsten disulphide nanotubes (WS2 NTs) in chitosan, plasticized with glycerol, facilitates the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex. The glycerol interrupts the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between chitosan chains allowing positively charged protonated amines of chitosan to form a complex with negatively charged oxygen ions chemisorbed to the tungsten atoms in defects. These interactions, with the unique mechanical and chemical properties of WS2 NTs, result in a chitosan film with superior properties relative to unfilled chitosan. Even at low WS2 NT loadings (≤1 wt%), the Young's modulus (E) increases by 59%, tensile strength (σ) by 40% and tensile toughness by 74%, compared to neat chitosan, without sacrificing ductility. Addition of highly dispersed WS2 NTs significantly improves the gas barrier properties of chitosan, with a 50% reduction in oxygen permeability, while the addition of both glycerol and WS2 NTs to chitosan effectively reduces the carbon dioxide permeability by 80% and the water vapor transmission rate by 90%. The intrinsic antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria is enhanced on inclusion of WS2 NTs. Polyelectrolyte complexation of WS2 NTs and glycerol‐plasticized chitosan provides a cost‐effective, sustainable route to biodegradable films with desirable mechanical, gas barrier properties, and antimicrobial efficacy suitable for food packaging applications.

Synergic versus Antagonist Effects of Rutin on Gallic Acid or Coumarin Incorporated into Chitosan Active Films: Impacts on Their Release Kinetics and Antioxidant Activity.

This work deals with the study of the release and antioxidant activity kinetics of three natural antioxidants associated as binary mixture (coumarin, and/or gallic acid and rutin) from chitosan films. Antioxidants were incorporated into film alone or in binary mixture. The aim was to determine the influence of rutin on the phenolic acid and benzopyrone. The UV-visible light transmission spectra of the films were also investigated. Neat chitosan films and chitosan incorporated coumarin exhibited high transmittance in the UV-visible light range, while GA-added chitosan films showed excellent UV light barrier properties. The molecular interactions between chitosan network and antioxidants were confirmed by FTIR where spectra displayed a shift of the amide-III peak. Rutin has a complex structure that can undergo ionization. The chitosan network structure induced change was found to influence the release behavior. The film containing rutin showed the highest antioxidant activity (65.58 ± 0.26%), followed by gallic acid (44.82 ± 3.73%), while coumarin displayed the lowest activity (27.27 ± 4.04%). The kinetic rate against DPPH-free radical of rutin is three times higher than coumarin. The kinetic rates were influenced by the structure and interactions of the antioxidants with chitosan. Rutin exhibited a slow release due to its molecular interactions with chitosan, while coumarin and gallic acid showed faster release. The diffusion coefficient of coumarin is 900 times higher than that of rutin. The rutin presence significantly delayed the release of the gallic acid and coumarin, suggesting an antagonistic effect. However, their presence weakly affects the release behavior of rutin.

Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced chitosan/titanium dioxide bionanocomposite with enhanced interfacial compatibility: Fabrication, characterization, and application in fresh-cut apple slices

This research aimed to investigate the feasibility of using a bionanocomposite made of chitosan, CNC, and TiO2 nanoparticles to package freshly sliced apples. At the outset, the effect of varying concentrations of CNC (1, 5, and 10 %) and TiO2 (1, 3, and 5 %) on the mechanical, thermal, and water sensitivity characteristics of the chitosan bionanocomposite was studied. Among different combinations, the bionanocomposite containing 10 % CNC and 3 % TiO2 displayed significant enhancements compared to neat chitosan film. Notably, it exhibited a substantial increase in tensile strength (78.2 %), glass transition temperature (26.7 %), and melting temperature (30.0 %) compared to neat chitosan film. Additionally, it demonstrated reduced WVP (27.8 %), FWS (44.4 %), and SR (50.7 %). These improvements were attributed to the synergistic interactions among chitosan, CNC, and TiO2 nanoparticles through hydrogen and oxygen bonding, corroborated by spectral changes in the material. The photocatalytic degradation of ethylene and microbes by UV-A (intermittent) activated TiO2 contained in the developed bionanocomposite was confirmed by the retention of acceptable quality and radical scavenging activity (70 % retention) of fresh-cut apple slices up to 11 days. The developed bionanocomposite can thus preserve the quality of ethylene-producing horticultural produce.

Removal of direct dyes from wastewater using chitosan and polyacrylamide blends

This study investigated the feasibility of employing neat chitosan powder, polyacrylamide, and chitosan micro-beads as adsorbents for the rapid and efficient removal of Direct Blue 78 dye from textile industrial wastewater. A series of batch experiments were conducted to examine the impact of adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH on the adsorption process. The physicochemical analysis, including FTIR, zeta potential analysis, and SEM were performed to identify the adsorption mechanism of chitosan powder and micro-beads. It was found that increasing the powder chitosan dose to 4.5 g/L and contact time up to 40 min resulted in achieving a significant increase in dye removal efficiency up to 94%. The highest removal efficiency of 94.2% was achieved at an initial dye concentration of 50 mg/L, a chitosan dosage of 4.5 g/L, and an optimized contact time of 60 min. Utilizing a polyacrylamide gel dose of 45 mL/L reduced the sedimentation time of chitosan from 8 h to 5 min. Equilibrium studies showed an initial L-shaped equilibrium curve, indicating that the adsorption process primarily arises from electrostatic interactions between dye molecules and adsorbent particles (physical forces). The Langmuir isothermal model demonstrated the best fit to the equilibrium data. Combining chitosan powder with polyacrylamide gel emerges as an economically viable choice for dye removal in industrial wastewater effluents, offering a cost-effective alternative to pricey commercial adsorbents. The results of the study revealed that the presence of polyacrylamide dye enhanced the removal efficiency and settling time of DB78 dye using chitosan.

Adsorption characteristics of bovine serum albumin on the surface of 316L stainless steel coated with diethoxydimethylsilane/chitosan composite films

In this study, diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) was blended with chitosan (CS) to fabricate DEDMS/CS composite films, which were deposited on the surface of 316L stainless steel to assess their anticoagulant properties. A neat CS film exhibits a high concentration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein adhesion of 458.3 ± 6.2 μg/L in a bicinchoninic acid protein assay because the carbonyl and amide functional groups on the CS surface easily form hydrogen bonds with the carboxylic acid functional groups of the BSA protein. The DEDMS/CS composite films exhibited lower BSA adhesion concentration than neat CS films because some of the carbonyl and amide functional groups on the surface of CS were replaced by the –Si-O-Si and –Si-(CH3)2 functional groups. Increasing the DEDMS content in the DEDMS/CS composite films led to a higher concentration of –Si-O-Si and –Si-(CH3)2 functional groups on the surface and lower BSA adhesion concentration. Blending excess amounts of DEDMS caused an undesirable rougher surface morphology because of the hydrolysis and self-condensation reactions of DEDMS; this deteriorated the anticoagulant properties of the composite films. The study confirmed that a DEDMS/CS composite film with an appropriate DEDMS/CS content ratio of 8/92 mL/mL possesses hydrophobic characteristics and the lowest BSA protein adhesion of 155.5 ± 1.0 μg/L and has potential for biomedical coating applications.

A Strategical Improvement in the Performance of CO2/N2 Gas Permeation via Conjugation of L-Tyrosine onto Chitosan Membrane

Rubbery polymeric membranes, containing amine carriers, have received much attention in CO2 separation because of their easy fabrication, low cost, and excellent separation performance. The present study focuses on the versatile aspects of covalent conjugation of L-tyrosine (Tyr) onto the high molecular weight chitosan (CS) accomplished by using carbodiimide as a coupling agent for CO2/N2 separation. The fabricated membrane was subjected to FTIR, XRD, TGA, AFM, FESEM, and moisture retention tests to examine the thermal and physicochemical properties. The defect-free dense layer of tyrosine-conjugated-chitosan, with active layer thickness within the range of ~600 nm, was cast and employed for mixed gas (CO2/N2) separation study in the temperature range of 25-115 °C in both dry and swollen conditions and compared to that of a neat CS membrane. An enhancement in the thermal stability and amorphousness was displayed by TGA and XRD spectra, respectively, for the prepared membranes. The fabricated membrane showed reasonably good CO2 permeance of around 103 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 32 by maintaining a sweep/feed moisture flow rate of 0.05/0.03 mL/min, respectively, an operating temperature of 85 °C, and a feed pressure of 32 psi. The composite membrane demonstrated high permeance because of the chemical grafting compared to the bare chitosan. Additionally, the excellent moisture retention capacity of the fabricated membrane accelerates high CO2 uptake by amine carriers, owing to the reversible zwitterion reaction. All the features make this membrane a potential membrane material for CO2 capture.

Alkylated chitosan nanomaterials for enhanced antimicrobial activity and delivery of fusidic acid: Preparation and preliminary in vitro investigation

AbstractNanomaterials manufactured of amphiphilically‐altered polysaccharides have sparked a great deal of interest due to their capability to elevate drug transport across the skin. The study presents the fabrication of alkylated chitosan through 2‐tert‐butoxymethyloxirane alteration (alkylation degree 29.7%), that was typified by spectroscopic, chromatographic, and thermal analysis approaches before being constructed into nanomaterials for the analysis of their capability in governing fusidic acid diffusion percutaneously. The nanomaterials were constructed via the ionic interaction of positively charged chitosan and negatively charged cross linker sodium tripolyphosphate, with a loading degree of fusidic acid of ca. 20% reported. Fusidic acid release was slower in nanomaterials constructed of alkylated chitosan than in neat chitosan. Under application‐relevant conditions, in vitro incubation with HaCaT cells exhibited insignificant toxicity. Using Franz diffusion cells, the alkylated chitosan nanomaterials induced fusidic acid to infiltrate the Strat‐M® membrane at a 2‐fold greater rate than the neat chitosan nanomaterials. Based on the agar diffusion test, fusidic acid was shown to have better antimicrobial activity when loaded into alkylated chitosan nanomaterials than when loaded into neat chitosan nanomaterials. Ultimately, the in vitro results revealed that alkylated chitosan nanomaterials offer a great deal of potential for percutaneous delivery, which merits greater analysis.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of selenium nanoparticles incorporated nano-chitosan

AbstractNew system compromising of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated pre-synthesized selenium nanoparticles in the presence of 5-fluorouracil was successfully prepared and used for cancer antiproliferation. Selenium nanoparticles were synthesized using ascorbic acid as reducing agent under mild condition. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared via ionic gelation technique using sodium tri-polyphosphate. Characterization of the prepared nanoparticles was carried out using FTIR, TEM, XRD, TGA and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results displayed the formation of selenium nanoparticles with an average size 20 nm and chitosan nanoparticles with an average size 207 and 250 nm for neat nano-chitosan and chitosan incorporated 5-fluorouracil/selenium nanoparticles, respectively. The encapsulated nanocomposites were tested for treatment of cancer cell of human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), human liver carcinoma (HepG-2), and human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7. The results indicated the potent cytotoxic activities of all nanocomposite toward the tested cells with enhanced anticancer activity rather than the single drug or neat selenium nanoparticle. All composites were tested against non-tumor fibroblast-derived cell line (BJ) and demonstrated very low cytotoxicity.

Chitosan-Urushiol nanofiber membrane with enhanced acid resistance and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity

Due to the large specific surface area and rich pore structure, chitosan nanofiber membrane has many advantages over conventional gel-like or film-like products. However, the poor stability in acidic solutions and relatively weak antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria severely restrict its use in many industries. Here, we present a chitosan-urushiol composite nanofiber membrane prepared by electrospinning. Chemical and morphology characterization revealed that the formation of chitosan-urushiol composite involved the Schiff base reaction between catechol and amine groups and the self-polymerization of urushiol. The unique crosslinked structure and multiple antibacterial mechanisms endowed the chitosan-urushiol membrane with outstanding acid resistance and antibacterial performance. After immersion in HCl solution at pH 1, the membrane maintained its intact appearance and satisfactory mechanical strength. In addition to its good antibacterial performance against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the chitosan-urushiol membrane exhibited synergistic antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) that far exceeded that of neat chitosan membrane and urushiol. Moreover, cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays revealed that the composite membrane had good biocompatibility similar to that of neat chitosan. In short, this work provides a convenient, safe, and environmentally friendly method to simultaneously enhance the acid resistance and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of chitosan nanofiber membranes.

Development of Chitosan/Whey Protein Hydrolysate Composite Films for Food Packaging Application

There is a significant drive towards the development of edible biocompatible films for food packaging application due to the environmental and health impacts of synthetic packaging materials. This has inspired the exploration of biodegradable natural polymers as packaging materials. To address the instant water disintegration of most natural polymers, polymers with conditional water solubility, such as chitosan (needing acidic conditions for dissolution in water), have gained significant research attention. To this end, chitosan has been blended with different natural proteins, including whey protein isolates, to prepare edible food films. However, consumption of whey protein isolates in their natural form has been proposed in the literature to prolong processing (digestion) time upon consumption. To circumvent this limitation, here we report the development of chitosan/whey protein hydrolysate-based edible films with additional antioxidant properties. The developed films revealed that the inclusion of whey protein hydrolysate improved physicochemical properties and mechanical strength of the films with tensile strength of 26.3 MPa at 1 wt% WPH loading compared to 10.9 MPa in control neat chitosan films (0 wt% WPH). Furthermore, chitosan/whey protein hydrolysate exhibited a significant (whey protein hydrolysate) dose-dependent antioxidant response with a maximum value of 83% DPPH in chitosan/WPH (1 wt%) films assessed using two different antioxidant assays. Based on the results from this study, we envisage the exploration of whey protein hydrolysate-based films for commercial food packaging application in future.

ZnO nanoparticles coated and stearic acid modified superhydrophobic chitosan film for self-cleaning and oil–water separation

The aim of this study was to prepare superhydrophobic chitosan films using a ZnO nanoparticle coating and stearic acid hydrophobic modification. A 1 % concentration of ZnO nanoparticles and a 1 % concentration of stearic acid generated a superhydrophobic film with the largest contact angle (WCA) of 156°, which was attributed to the synergy of micro/nano-level hierarchical structure and low surface energy modification. The superhydrophobic film showed better stability to acid, alkali, heat, and UV irradiation than a neat chitosan film and a reduction in light transmittance of 14.4 % at 354 nm. The superhydrophobic chitosan film also showed excellent self-cleaning and oil–water separation performance. Our findings will expand the application of chitosan films in food packaging, outdoor self-cleaning materials and oil–water separations.

Hair hydrolysate functionalized cellulose nanocrystal based chitosan membrane to harness power from wastewater fed MFCs

Chitosan (CS) is an environmentally benign polymer increasingly utilized to prepare low-cost proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) applications. In this work, hair hydrolysate functionalized CNCs have been utilized with CS matrix followed by cross-linking with epichlorohydrin to enhance the properties of neat chitosan for its application as Nafion-alternative membrane to harvest electricity from domestic wastewater fed MFC device for the first time. Characterizations reveals the structural interaction between the hair hydrolysate functionalized CNC and chitosan matrix resulting in higher antibacterial property with a low percentage of water uptake (60%) and swelling (26%) and higher ion conductivity (1.04 mS/cm). Maximum power density of 142.57 mW/m2 and maximum open circuit voltage of 769.58 mV is derived from real wastewater which is higher compared to previous literature. The results demonstrate the possibility of application of the new low-cost, sustainable PEM with enhanced properties for MFC and wastewater treatment in future.