Chitosan-Silanized Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanocomposite Films and Properties

In this study, chitosan-silanized hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanocomposite films were developed using the solution casting method. Unlike chitosan-hBN studies, silanization of hBN with Vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTS) formed hydrogen bonds. In the swelling ratio, an improvement of 18.6% was observed with the addition of hBN compared to pure chitosan. A water vapor permeability of 2.54 × 10⁻¹⁰ g⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ was observed for pure chitosan; however, this value decreased to 1.47 × 10⁻¹⁰ g⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ with the addition of 0.9% hBN. A rate of oxygen permeability of 542.2 cm³/m² day was observed for composites incorporating hBN, significantly lower than the 1350.79 cm³/m² day rate recorded for chitosan. Increasing the hBN addition enhanced the composite films' thermal stability and improved the UV barrier properties. Adding hBN did not negatively affect the NaOH resistance of composite films. The sample containing 0.6% hBN exhibited the highest contact angle values of 97.59 ± 2.68. The research recorded a tensile strength of 77.9 MPa and Young's modulus of 6299.86 MPa for the sample containing 0.9% hBN. The composites showed cell viability in the cytotoxicity tests conducted at three different time periods and at all concentrations. It has been determined to have good biocompatibility and does not show toxic effects.