Characterization and thermal properties of chitosan/perlite nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, chitosan/perlite nanocomposites were synthesized using the solvent casting method and then characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical contact angle, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Zetasizer NanoS devices. Perlite was determined to be dispersed in nano size and homogeneously in the chitosan matrix. Chitosan/perlite nanocomposite was generally more thermally stable compared to pure chitosan polymer. The fact that the amount of perlite in the nanocomposite increased showed that the hydrophilic properties of nanocomposites increased. In addition, antibacterial activities of the samples were investigated using the agar-disk diffusion method and hemocompatibility testing was also performed.