Construction of cellulose/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels for potential wound dressing application

In this study, novel cellulose/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) composite hydrogels were prepared by blending cellulose and CMCS in LiOH/urea aqueous solutions, then cross-linking with epichlorohydrin. The structure morphology of the characterized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle x-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy. results revealed that chemical reaction between occurred hydrogel. Moreover, contributed to enhancement pore size, whereas acted as a strong backbone hydrogel support wall. compressive strength was significantly improved from 39.2 ± 2.2 145.2 2.8 kPa result increase content, while equilibrium swelling ratio increased rapidly 33.8 154.2 g/g content. showed no cytotoxicity towards L929 cells, suggesting good biocompatibility. All these indicate proposed cellulose/CMCS can be effectively used wound dressing materials.