Development and in vitro characterization of chitosan/starch/halloysite nanotubes ternary nanocomposite films

In this present study, ternary nanocomposite films of chitosan/starch/halloysite nanotubes (ChSHT) were fabricated by solution casting process. The ternary nanocomposite films were characterized by using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), water contact angle, water absorption capacity, water solubility, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation at break, thickness, porosity, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), and hemocompatibility. FTIR and XRD results confirmed the interaction of halloysite nanotubes with chitosan-starch (ChS) solution. Further, the ChSHT ternary nanocomposite films showed improved water absorption capacity, water solubility, and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). Water contact angle measurements also showed that the nanocomposite films were hydrophilic in nature. The hemocompatibility results showed that all the prepared nanocomposite films were non-hemolytic in nature. Furthermore, microbial penetration test showed that all the prepared ternary nanocomposite films were impermeable to bacteria. Considering the above-mentioned results, it is concluded that the ChSHT nanocomposite films could be used as promising wound cover materials. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.