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Polyelectrolyte Complexation of Chitosan and WS2 Nanotubes

Lookup NU author(s): Professor David XieORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

The inclusion of tungsten disulphide nanotubes (WS2 NTs) in chitosan, plasticized with glycerol, facilitates the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex. The glycerol interrupts the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between chitosan chains allowing positively charged protonated amines of chitosan to form a complex with negatively charged oxygen ions chemisorbed to the tungsten atoms in defects. These interactions, with the unique mechanical and chemical properties of WS2 NTs, result in a chitosan film with superior properties relative to unfilled chitosan. Even at low WS2 NT loadings (≤1 wt%), the Young's modulus (E) increases by 59%, tensile strength (σ) by 40% and tensile toughness by 74%, compared to neat chitosan, without sacrificing ductility. Addition of highly dispersed WS2 NTs significantly improves the gas barrier properties of chitosan, with a 50% reduction in oxygen permeability, while the addition of both glycerol and WS2 NTs to chitosan effectively reduces the carbon dioxide permeability by 80% and the water vapor transmission rate by 90%. The intrinsic antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is enhanced on inclusion of WS2 NTs. Polyelectrolyte complexation of WS2 NTs and glycerol-plasticized chitosan provides a cost-effective, sustainable route to biodegradable films with desirable mechanical, gas barrier properties, and antimicrobial efficacy suitable for food packaging applications.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Magee E, Xie F, Farris S, Dsouza A, Constantinidou C, Zak A, Tenne R, McNally T

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Advanced Materials Interfaces

Year: 2024

Volume: 11

Issue: 6

Print publication date: 23/02/2024

Online publication date: 17/12/2023

Acceptance date: 03/11/2023

Date deposited: 10/02/2024

ISSN (print): 2196-7350

ISSN (electronic): 2196-7350

Publisher: Wiley

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202300501

DOI: 10.1002/admi.202300501

Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
University of Warwick
Weizmann Institute of Science
WMG
Weizmann UK-Making Connections

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