Preparation and Characterization of Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Films: Chitosan-Based Nanocomposite Films with Antimicrobial Activity

Four different types of chitosan-based nanocomposite films were prepared using a solvent casting method by incorporating with four types of nanoparticles, i.e., an unmodified montmorillonite (Na-MMT), an organically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B), a Nano-silver, and a Ag-zeolite (Ag-Ion). X-ray diffraction patterns of the nanocomposite films indicated that a certain degree of intercalation was formed in the nanocomposite films, with the highest intercalation in the Na-MMT-incorporated films followed by films with Cloisite 30B and Ag-Ion. SEM micrographs showed that in all the nanocomposite films, except the Nanosilver-incorporated one, nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously throughout the chitosan polymer matrix. Consequently, mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan films were affected through intercalation of nanoparticles, i.e., tensile strength (TS) increased by 7-16%, while water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased by 25-30% depending on the nanoparticle material tested. In addition, chitosan-based nanocomposite films, especially silver-containing ones, showed a promising range of antimicrobial activity.