Preparation of Amphiphilic Chitosan–Graphene Oxide–Cellulose Nanocrystalline Composite Hydrogels and Their Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Properties.

Environmental-friendly nanocomposite hydrogels of carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC), graphene oxide (GO) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were combined to produce a bio-hydrogel with great biocompatibility and antibacterial ability. The size of the GO nanosheets was about 200–500 nm, and the CNCs had a length of 100–200 nm and a width of 10–20 nm, as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was utilized for the analysis of the oxygen functional groups of GO. The homogeneous dispersion of the CHC/GO/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel showed significantly higher water absorption capacity and water retention capability. In addition, inhibition of a variety of microorganisms (gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and fungi) by the introduction of the CHC/GO/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrated that there is a great opportunity to use it in the bio-medical field, such as for plastic masks and wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]