Surface Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes With Chitosan and Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles by Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Nano-magnesium oxide (nano-MgO) and chitosan (CS) are known for their potent antibacterial activity. In this work, we present the synthesis of magnesium oxide CS-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube composites and establish its merits over conventional magnesia and raw CS. We synthesized the composite within 1 h via a one-step microwave method. The presence of nano-MgO and CS on the surface of the nanotubes was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray probe microanalyzer, and thermal stability analysis. We propose that our novel nanocomposite biomaterial would be useful in the pharmaceutical industry with potential antibacterial applications. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers