Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Construction of novel cellulose/chitosan composite hydrogels and films and their applications

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Cellulose Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, novel cellulose and chitosan composite hydrogels and films were constructed by directly dissolving cellulose and chitosan in alkali/urea aqueous solutions followed by a facile blending method and a mild coagulation process in an ethyl acetate gaseous phase. The structure and properties of the cellulose/chitosan composite materials were characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscopy, FTIR, wide angle X-ray diffraction, mechanical test and antibacterial experiment etc. The results indicated that there is strong hydrogen bonding interaction between cellulose and chitosan. The composite hydrogels exhibited homogeneous porous structure and the resultant films exhibited relative high light transmittance, indicating good miscibility between cellulose and chitosan due to their structure similarity. The mechanical strength increased with the cellulose content for the composite films, while the equilibrium swelling ratio, antibacterial activity and biocompatibility increased with the chitosan content. Facial mask shaped composite hydrogels with heavy metal ion adsorbability could be prepared facilely by using glass molds. Thus, the composite materials showed potential applications in the facial mask, antimicrobial packaging and water treatment fields.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anitha A, Sowmya S, Kumar P, Deepthi S, Chennazhi K, Ehrlich H, Tsurkan M, Jayakumar R (2014) Chitin and chitosan in selected biomedical applications. Prog Polym Sci 39:1644–1667

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai J, Zhang L (2005) Rapid dissolution of cellulose in LiOH/urea and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions. Macromol Biosci 5:539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai J, Liu Y, Zhang L (2006) Dilute solution properties of cellulose in LiOH/urea aqueous system. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 44:3093–3101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai J, Zhang L, Zhou J, Qi H, Chen H, Kondo T, Chen X, Chu B (2007) Multifilament fibers based on dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/urea aqueous solution: structure and properties. Adv Mater 19:821–825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao Z, Luo X, Zhang H, Fu Z, Shen Z, Cai N, Xue Y, Yu F (2016) A facile and green strategy for the preparation of porous chitosan-coated cellulose composite membranes for potential applications as wound dressing. Cellulose 23:1349–1361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaoming S, Yeongtarng S, Yawokuo T (2009) Preparation and characterization of cellulose/chitosan blend films. Carbohydr Polym 78:169–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Yang H, Zhong Z, Yan N (2017) Base-catalysed, one-step mechanochemical conversion of chitin and shrimp shells into low molecular weight chitosan. Green Chem 19:2783–2792

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crini G, Badot PM (2008) Application of chitosan, a natural aminopolysaccharide, for dye removal from aqueous solutions by adsorption processes using batch studies: a review of recent literature. Prog Polym Sci 33:399–447

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dash M, Chiellini F, Ottenbrite RM, Chiellini E (2011) Chitosan—a versatile semi-synthetic polymer in biomedical applications. Prog Polym Sci 36:981–1014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan J, He X, Zhang L (2014) Magnetic cellulose–TiO2 nanocomposite microspheres for highly selective enrichment of phosphopeptides. Chem Commun 51:338–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan J, Liang X, Cao Y, Wang S, Zhang L (2015) High strength chitosan hydrogels with biocompatibility via new avenue based on constructing nanofibrous architecture. Macromolecules 48:2706–2714

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan J, Liang X, Zhu K, Guo J, Zhang L (2016) Bilayer hydrogel actuators with tight interfacial adhesion fully constructed from natural polysaccharides. Soft Matter 13:345–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Y, Zhang R, Duan B, Liu M, Lu A, Zhang L (2017) Recyclable universal solvents for chitin to chitosan with various degree of acetylation and construction of robust hydrogels. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 5:2725–2733

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fink HP, Weigel P, Purz H, Ganster J (2001) Structure formation of regenerated cellulose materials from NMMO-solutions. Prog Polym Sci 26:1473–1524

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • French AD (2014) Idealized powder diffraction patterns for cellulose polymorphs. Cellulose 21:885–896

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasegawa M, Isogai A, Kuga S, Onabe F (1994) Preparation of cellulose–chitosan blend film using chloral/dimethylformamide. Polymer 35:983–987

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Chang C, Peng N, Zhang L (2011) Structure and properties of hydroxyapatite/cellulose nanocomposite films. Carbohydr Polym 87:2512–2518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Xu M, Zhang L (2013) Controllable stearic acid crystal induced high hydrophobicity on cellulose film surface. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 5:585–591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Kwok RTK, Wang Z, Duan B, Tang BZ, Zhang L (2014a) Hair-inspired crystal growth of HOA in cavities of cellulose matrix via hydrophobic–hydrophilic interface interaction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6:9508–9516

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Zhao Y, Duan J, Wang Z, Chen Y, Zhang L (2014b) Fast contact of solid-liquid interface created high strength multi-layered cellulose hydrogels with controllable size. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6:1872–1878

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Wang X, Wang Z, Chen L, Lu Y, Zhang X, Li M, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Xia H, Zhang L (2017a) Biocompatible and biodegradable bioplastics constructed from chitin via a “green” pathway for bone repair. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 5:9126–9135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He M, Zhang X, Yao W, Wang C, Shi L, Zhou P (2017b) Construction of alternate layered chitosan/alginate composite hydrogels and their properties. Mater Lett 200:43–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isogai A, Atalla RH (1992) Preparation of cellulose–chitosan polymer blends. Carbohydr Polym 19:25–28

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isogai A, Usuda M, Kato T, Uryu T, Atalla RH (1989) Solid-state CP/MAS carbon-13 NMR study of cellulose polymorphs. Macromolecules 22:3168–3172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jedvert K, Heinze T (2017) Cellulose modification and shaping—a review. J Polym Eng 37:845–860

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li R, He M, Li T, Zhang L (2015) Preparation and properties of cellulose/silver nanocomposite fibers. Carbohydr Polym 115:269–275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, He M, Tong Z, Li Y, Sheng W, Luo L, Tong Y, Yu H, Huselstein C, Chen Y (2016a) Construction of biocompatible regenerated cellulose/SPI composite beads using high-voltage electrostatic technique. RSC Adv 6:52528–52538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Cui Z, Zhang L, He B, Li J (2016b) The effect of sulfonated polysulfone on the compatibility and structure of polyethersulfone-based blend membranes. J Membr Sci 513:1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lima IS, Lazarin AM, Airoldi C (2005) Favorable chitosan/cellulose film combinations for copper removal from aqueous solutions. Int J Biol Macromol 36:79–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mokhothu TH, John MJ (2015) Review on hygroscopic aging of cellulose fibres and their biocomposites. Carbohydr Polym 131:337–354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgado DL, Frollini E, Castellan A, Rosa DS, Coma V (2011) Biobased films prepared from NaOH/thiourea aqueous solution of chitosan and linter cellulose. Cellulose 18:699–712

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murugan R, Ramakrishna S (2004) Bioresorbable composite bone paste using polysaccharide based nano hydroxyapatite. Biomaterials 25:3829–3835

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pei Y, Yang J, Liu P, Xu M, Zhang X, Zhang L (2013) Fabrication, properties and bioapplications of cellulose/collagen hydrolysate composite films. Carbohydr Polym 92:1752–1760

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi H, Cai J, Zhang L, Kuga S (2009) Properties of films composed of cellulose nanowhiskers and a cellulose matrix regenerated from alkali/urea solution. Biomacromol 10:1597–1602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qin Y, Lu X, Sun N, Rogers RD (2010) Dissolution or extraction of crustacean shells using ionic liquids to obtain high molecular weight purified chitin and direct production of chitin films and fibers. Green Chem 12:968–971

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rejinold NS, Chennazhi KP, Tamura H, Nair SV, Rangasamy J (2011) Multifunctional chitin nanogels for simultaneous drug delivery, bioimaging, and biosensing. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 3:3654–3665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubentheren V, Ward TA, Chee CY, Nair P (2015) Physical and chemical reinforcement of chitosan film using nanocrystalline cellulose and tannic acid. Cellulose 22:2529–2541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saito T, Oaki Y, Nishimura T, Isogai A, Kato T (2014) Bioinspired stiff and flexible composites of nanocellulose-reinforced amorphous CaCO3. Mater Horiz 1:321–325

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang C, Xiang L, Su J, Wang K, Yang C, Zhang Q, Fu Q (2008) Largely improved tensile properties of chitosan film via unique synergistic reinforcing effect of carbon nanotube and clay. J Phys Chem B 112:3876–3881

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Cai J, Zhang L, Xu M, Cheng H, Han CC, Kuga S, Xiao J, Xiao R (2013) A bioplastic with high strength constructed from a cellulose hydrogel by changing the aggregated structure. J Mater Chem A 1:6678–6686

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wendler F, Kosan B, Krieg M, Meister F (2009) Possibilities for the physical modification of cellulose shapes using ionic liquids. Macromol Symp 280:112–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong X, Duan J, Zou W, He X, Zheng W (2010) A pH-sensitive regenerated cellulose membrane. J Membr Sci 363:96–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y, Ren X, Hanna MA (2010) Chitosan/clay nanocomposite film preparation and characterization. J Appl Polym Sci 99:1684–1691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan T, Cheng F, Wei X, Huang Y, He J (2017) Biodegradable collagen sponge reinforced with chitosan/calcium pyrophosphate nanoflowers for rapid hemostasis. Carbohydr Polym 170:271–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang R, Li H, Huang M, Yang H, Li A (2016) A review on chitosan-based flocculants and their applications in water treatment. Water Res 95:59–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao D, Huang J, Zhong Y, Li K, Zhang L, Cai J (2016) High-strength and high-toughness double-cross-linked cellulose hydrogels: a new strategy using sequential chemical and physical cross-linking. Adv Funct Mater 26:6279–6287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Y, Luo X, Huang L, Lin S, Chen L (2015) Development of ionic liquid-mediated antibacterial cellulose–chitosan films. J Biobased Mater Bio 9:389–395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51503177, 81501921), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20160440), Talent Introduction Project of Yancheng Institute of Technology (Grant No. XJ201526), A Project Funded by the Flagship Major Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PPZY2015A025) and Research Fund of Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Ecological Building Materials and Environmental Protection Equipments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, Jiangsu, China

    Meng He, Hao Chen, Xinjiang Zhang, Chengshuang Wang, Cheng Xu, Yuting Xue & Jinshan Wang

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China

    Panghu Zhou

  3. Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, 224002, Jiangsu, China

    Qingxin Zhao

Authors
  1. Meng He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hao Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xinjiang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chengshuang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cheng Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yuting Xue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jinshan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Panghu Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Qingxin Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Meng He, Panghu Zhou or Qingxin Zhao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

He, M., Chen, H., Zhang, X. et al. Construction of novel cellulose/chitosan composite hydrogels and films and their applications. Cellulose 25, 1987–1996 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1683-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1683-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation