Current Progress in Biomedical Applications of Chitosan-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: A Review

Abstract

: The currently observed development of medical science results from the constant search for innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of patients. Particular attention is focused on the design of a new generation of materials with a high degree of biocompatibility and tolerance towards the immune system. In addition, apart from biotolerance, it is important to ensure appropriate mechanical and technological properties of materials intended for intrabody application. Knowledge of the above parameters becomes the basis for considerations related to the possibilities of choosing the appropriate polymer materials. The researchers' interest, as evidenced by the number of available publications, is attracted by nanobiocomposites based on chitosan and carbon nanotubes, which, due to their properties, enable integration with the tissues of the human body. Nanosystems can be used in many areas of medicine. They constitute an excellent base for use as dressing materials, exhibiting antimicrobial properties. In addition, they can be carriers of drugs and biological macromolecules, and can be used in gene therapy, tissue engineering and construction of biosensors. For this reason, potential application areas of chitosan-carbon nanotube nanocomposites in medical sciences are presented in this publication, considering the characteristics of the system components.

Chitosan‐based nanocomposites for medical applications

“…In the context of choosing fitting biomaterials, chitosan nanocomposites with nanofillers like hydroxyapatite, 75,89,90 bioactive glass, 23,91 zeolite, 92 copper nanoparticles, 93 and carbon filler, 27,43,93 and so forth are extensively used for bone tissue engineering applications and they are applied as thin films, fiber-meshes, scaffolds, and hydrogels. 94 Chitosan nanocomposites of choice for bone engineering applications are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…26 Several articles reviewed the biomedical applications of chitosan-based nanocomposites in suspensions like nanogels and micelles. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] This article reports on chitosan-based nanocomposite scaffolds with a focus on tissue engineering.…”

Single‐wall carbon nanotubes‐chitosan nanocomposites: Surface wettability, mechanical and thermal properties

“…The solubility in acid media contributes to its processability into different forms, like scaffolds, gels, nanofibers, nanoparticles or films, which enables a wide range of applications [2, 3]. Chitosan is normally processed in gels and films and since the last decade, studies concerning the use of this biopolymer in the development of nanocomposites materials has been increased and equating in number to those traditional materials [4, 5].…”

“…They are hybrid materials composed of a polymeric matrix reinforced with fillers which are in a nanometer range, as nanoparticles, nanosheets or carbon or halloysite nanotubes [4, 8, 9]. These nanofillers are usually added in small concentrations, up to 5 % in relation to the polymer, since the large aspect ratio of these structures allows multiple interactions with the matrix [5]. The main requirement is to produce a homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers to achieve the maximal enhancement in the properties of the biopolymer films [10].…”

Synthesis and fabrication of films including graphene oxide functionalized with chitosan for regenerative medicine applications

“…Therefore, numerous methods for improving CS mechanical properties [9] have been reported in the latest years. The use of pristine carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes [10], nano-onions [11,12], graphene [13], and graphene oxide [14,15] has gained popularity, and CS has been linked to overcoming the drawbacks of low mechanical properties [16].…”