Enhancing the thermostability, UV shielding and antimicrobial activity of transparent chitosan film by carbon quantum dots containing N/P

Carbohydr Polym. 2022 Feb 15:278:118957. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118957. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

Abstract

The chitosan (CS) transparent film has attracted much attention in food and medicine packaging areas due to their biodegradability and good availability. A novel carbon quantum dots compound containing nitrogen and phosphorus (NP-CQDs) was obtained by reacting citric acids, with urea and phytic acids. The density of the film was increased, and the water vapor permeation was reduced by the presence of NP-CQDs. The introduction of 4 wt% NP-CQDs increased the water contact angle of the CS film from 79.2° to 105.8°. The shielding on UV-A and UV-B transmittance was increased with the NP-CQDs loading. The film containing 4 wt% NP-CQDs blocked more than 90.2% UV-A and 96.5% UV-B; however, it only blocked 26.8% visible light. It also exhibited better antibacterial activity to both E. coli and S. aureus than the control CS film. This work provided a feasible way to prepare multifunctional bio-safe film.

Keywords: Antibacterial; Carbon quantum dots; Chitosan; Thermal properties; Ultraviolet-blocking.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Chitosan / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nitrogen / chemistry
  • Phosphorus / chemistry
  • Quantum Dots / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Temperature*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Phosphorus
  • Carbon
  • Chitosan
  • Nitrogen