Polyelectrolyte Sponge Reinforced with Organic Rectorite and Silver Nanoparticles

This study reported the preparation and properties of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCMC)/sodium alginate (SA) composite sponge with Ag NP-loaded quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan/organic rectorite (QCORAg) nanocomposite. The structures of QCMC/SA/QCORAg composite sponges were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM and EDS. The results showed that the polyelectrolyte with a highly cross-linked structure can be obtained by mixing QCMC and SA. The composite sponges had good water-absorption capacity, which could absorb 21 times of water of its original weight. Compared to commercially available gelfoam, due to the addition of silver nanoparticles and organic rectorite, the QCMC/SA/QCORAg composite sponges showed excellent antibacterial and hemostatic properties. The composite sponges also performed well on healing the wounds. This study indicated that the composite sponges had the potential to be a new wound dressing.