Due to their biocompatibility and non-toxicity, biopolymer-based films hold significant importance in bioengineering. It is imperative to comprehend the influence of chitosan molecular weight and filler materials nature on the crystalline structure and their subsequent effect on film properties. The aim of this research was to determine how carbon nanotubes embedded within chitosan can significantly improve the performance of biopolymer-based films produced by the solvent-casting technique. Four probe measurements demonstrated that films of medium-molecular-weight chitosan/carbon nanotubes displayed an electrical conductivity value of 0.0132 S cm⁻¹, resulting in films with a low sheet resistance value of 0.0156 mΩ/Υ. Based on XRD findings, it has been demonstrated that films containing carbon nanotubes have shifted the (002) plane of chitosan towards higher angles, favoring chitosan crystal form II, which could be responsible for the enhanced mechanical performance. Structural characteristics, such as lattice strain (e), grain size (D), and dislocation density, have been calculated using the Williamson–Hall method, in which the medium-molecular-weight chitosan/CNTs film samples displayed the best crystalline quality. SEM images revealed nanotube diameters ranging in size from 140 to 300 nm, suggesting that the chitosan was effectively wrapped along carbon nanotubes. Our results indicate that developing chitosan-wrapped carbon nanotube films introduces them as potential materials for bioengineering and biomedical research.

Chitosan is a biopolymer with unique properties that have attracted considerable attention in various scientific fields in recent decades. Although chitosan is known for its poor electrical and mechanical properties, there is interest in producing chitosan-based materials reinforced with carbon-based materials to impart exceptional properties such as high electrical conductivity and high Young’s modulus. This study describes the synergistic effect of carbon-based materials, such as reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes, in improving the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of chitosan-based films. Our findings demonstrate that the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide influences the crystallinity of chitosan, which considerably impacts the mechanical properties of the films. However, the incorporation of a reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube complex not only significantly improves the mechanical properties but also significantly improves the optical and electrical properties, as was demonstrated from the photoluminescence studies and resistivity measurements employing the four-probe technique. This is a promising prospect for the synthesis of new materials, such as biopolymer films, with potential applications in optical, electrical, and biomedical bioengineering applications.

Los plaguicidas se emplean en todo el mundo para garantizar la demanda de alimentos diarios y la protección de la salud humana, evitando la propagación de organismos transmisores de enfermedades. A pesar de sus propiedades beneficiosas, son perjudiciales para los seres vivos que se exponen diariamente a pequeñas cantidades de estas sustancias, ya sea por el consumo de alimentos contaminados o por la deficiente manipulación de los productos para el control de plagas utilizados en los hogares. Además, la exposición prolongada a estas sustancias se ha asociado a enfermedades crónicas y agudas, como el cáncer, enfermedades neurodegenerativas, respiratorias, reproductivas, trastornos en el desarrollo y trastornos metabólicos. En la actualidad, el desarrollo de plaguicidas menos tóxicos y biodegradables es un tema muy importante en todo el mundo. En este artículo se muestra el papel de la naturaleza química de los pesticidas y sus efectos debido al uso excesivo y prolongado. Alternativas como los aceites esenciales podrían reducir los efectos nocivos para el medio ambiente y la salud humana provocados por los pesticidas.