Novel tri-biopolymer thin film with superior antimicrobial efficacy

This work reports a novel synthesis, characterization, and performance of antimicrobial polymeric thin films utilizing unreported ternary blend of Chitosan, PLA, and PCL. For binary systems, the selection of matching polymers has improved the material’s structures and properties; however, the transition to using a ternary system is not well-established yet. The ability to homogeneously blend 3 biopolymers would expand the potential to prepare new materials with tailored properties. Herein, unary, binary, and ternary films were produced by physical blending using the casting and solvent evaporation method. The films were then characterized using different techniques for comparing the properties of 3 mixing ratios of ternary films with the unary and binary recipes of the selected polymers. The ternary films showed homogenous chemical structure, thermal stability up to 400 °C, enhanced solubility, with adequate mechanical and structural integrity. These results exhibited the potential for enhancement as we transitioned from unary to ternary blends, resulting in a notable improvement in antibacterial behavior. Specifically, the antimicrobial effects of these blends against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus microbes have been reported.