Novel nanocomposite films consisting of genipin-crosslinked chitosan (GC), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles were prepared containing various amounts of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles. The effects of composition and TiO2 nanoparticles on the physico-chemical properties of nanocomposite sampleswere evaluated by X-ray diffraction and infrared analysis. The greatest swellings were observed in the acidic pH. GC/PEG/TiO2/Ag nanocomposite showed the pH-sensitive swelling behavior and the improved mechanical properties. These nanocomposites were shown to have antibacterial activity towards Escherichia coli. GC/PEG/TiO2/Ag composite films had higher antimicrobial activities than GC/PEG and GC/PEG/TiO2 nanocomposite films. GC/PEG/TiO2/Ag composite films have potential application as wound dressings.

Keywords: chitosan; swelling; titanium dioxide; silver; antimicrobial activity; wound dressing