Cellulose and chitin based composites: Preparation and characterization

Novel cellulose–cadmium-tellurium quantum dot (cellulose-CdTeQD) and chitin–cadmium-tellurium quantum dot (chitin-CdTeQD) hybrid films were prepared via a facile aqueous synthesis route held at room temperature using cellulose, chitin, and CdTe quantum dots (CdTeQDs). Films were characterized by field emission scanning, electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Antibacterial activity was studied on both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Antibacterial properties were tested with an agar diffusion testing assay along with confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis. Chitin–CdTeQD film exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Cellulose–CdTeQD film exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against only gram-positive bacteria. These films might be a desirable antibacterial material that could have potential use in biomedical applications such as wound dressings, burn treatment, drug delivery systems, ophthalmology, and implants.