Biodegradable and antibacterial chlorinated polypropylene/chitosan based composite films for biomedical applications

Chlorinated polypropylene (PP-Cl)-chitosan (Cs) composite films (PP-Css) are prepared at different proportions (PP-Cl:Cs (w:w) = 2:1, 1:1, 1:2) by solution casting method as a candidate for biomedical applications. PP-Cs based composite films that will normally not be obtained as a blend due to incompatibility are achieved for the first time in the literature by taking advantage of polarity enhancing chlorine functionality of PP-Cl. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy is conducted to show the chemical structure of composite or pristine samples. Surface wettability properties of them are determined by water contact angle measurements, whereas their surface morphologies are characterized by scanning electron microscopy analysis. On the other hand, thermal and mechanical behaviors are studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and universal tensile test, respectively. Overall biological activities of PP-Css and pristine PP-Cl and Cs as well are determined by biodegradability and antibacterial tests. The incorporation of higher amount of Cs into the PP-Cl increased the biodegradability and antibacterial activity of the films against both gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. As a result of these observations, it is proposed that PP-Css are a potential biomaterial for different bioengineering applications.