Development of chitosan, graphene oxide, and cerium oxide composite blended films: structural, physical, and functional properties

In this study, we prepared chitosan-based composite blended films using simple solution casting and solvent evaporation techniques. The chemical and physical properties of all the films were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), mechanical property (tensile strength and elongation at break), water contact angle and UV–visible spectrophotometer. After adding graphene oxide and cerium oxide into the chitosan polymer matrix, its water contact angle and tensile strength increased, and elongation at break decreased. Moreover, all the prepared films were investigated for their antioxidant properties using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (both dose and time-dependent) and barrier properties. It is found that chitosan, graphene oxide, and cerium oxide (Cs/GO/CeO₂) film showed the highest antioxidant activity compared to other prepared films (Cs, Cs/GO, and Cs/CeO₂) due to the synergetic effects of both GO and CeO₂. The obtained results suggest that the prepared nanocomposite films have the potential for food packaging applications.