Preparation and characterization of novel β-chitin/nanosilver composite scaffolds for wound dressing applications

We developed novel beta-chitin/nanosilver composite scaffolds for wound healing applications using beta-chitin tin hydrogel with silver nanoparticles. The prepared nanosilver particles and nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, XRD and TGA studies. The antibacterial, blood-clotting, swelling, cell attachment and cytotoxicity studies of the prepared composite scaffolds were evaluated. The prepared beta-chitin/nanosilver composite scaffolds were bactericidal against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and it showed good blood-clotting ability as well. Cell attachment studies using veto (epithelial) cells showed that the cells were well attached on the scaffolds. These results suggested that beta-chitin/nanosilver composite scaffold could be a promising candidate for wound dressing applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.