Fabrication of novel nanohybrids by impregnation of CuO nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose and chitosan nanofibers: Characterization, antimicrobial and release properties

The efficiency of bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BCNF) and chitosan nanofibers (CHNF) were compared, aiming at fabricating novel organic-inorganic nanohybrids containing copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs). FT-IR spectra confirmed the formation of real nanohybrids through occurring new interactions between CuO NPs and nanofibers. XRD results indicated that both the crystallite size and the crystallinity index of nanofibers decreased after nanohybrid formation. Noticeably, these morphological changes for CHNF were more than those for BCNF. Strong attachment of CuO-NPs to the BCNF and CHNF nanofibrils was observed in FE-SEM images. After 72 h, CuO releasing for CuO-BCNF and CuO-CHNF nanohybrids was recorded as 65.5% and 47.7%, respectively. The antibacterial activity of CuO NPs against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria decreased after attachment to BCNF. However, a synergistic effect was observed between CuO and CHNF on the antimicrobial activity of CuO-CHNF nanohybrid. This study demonstrated the potential of fabricated nanohybrids in water purification and food packaging applications.