Preparation and Characterization of PCL/CS/SN Nanocomposites for Antibacterial Applications

In the present study, polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites were rapidly prepared. PCL nanocomposites were modified with chitosan (CS) biopolymer and Silica Nanoparticles (SNs). The samples were characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy for functional groups, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for size and morphology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal stability, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for crystal structure, and tensile analysis for mechanical property. The water absorption and biodegradation analysis were evaluated for the nanocomposites. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of nanocomposites for human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). The antibacterial activity of nanocomposites was measured by the agar disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a gram-negative bacterium using the inhibition zone. Spherical silica nanoparticles were confirmed by SEM with an average particle size of 40-50 nm. The presence of functional groups of SNs, PCL, and CS was observed by ATR-FT-IR analysis. PCL crystal plates were identified with XRD analysis. Based on the thermal properties, the increase of silica nanoparticles increased the crystallization enthalpy of polycaprolactone. The increase of silica nanoparticles improved the mechanical properties and more water absorption and degradability. Based on the results, this biocompatible and non-toxic PCL/CS/SN nanocomposite with antibacterial properties improved biological and biomedical applications.