Quaternized chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/sodium carboxymethylcellulose blend film for potential wound dressing application

In this study, blends of N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were prepared by the solution-casting method to develop films. The blend films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and light-transmission measurements. The results revealed that in the blend films, HTCC, PVA, and CMC interacted by hydrogen bonding and were partly miscible. The effects of varying amounts of CMC on the mechanical properties, water absorption, swelling properties, and moisture permeability of HTCC/PVA blend films were also examined. Improved strength and flexibility of the blend films were observed with the inclusion of CMC. Moreover, the incorporation of CMC resulted in enhanced water absorption capacity, improved swelling ratio, and appropriate moisture permeability. Furthermore, all the ternary blend films showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcal aureus. Sponges of HTCC/PVA/CMC blend films with these properties have the potential to be used as biomaterials in medical applications.