Use of Natural Biopolymers to Create Nanocomposite Materials

Abstract

Method of carbon nanotubes disaggregation with the help of protein material, gelatin, has been proposed which facilitate to disperse evenly nanotubes in hydrogels based on gelatin and polysaccharides (sodium alginate or κ-carrageenan). In the obtained composite hydrogels carbon nanotubes are located in the biopolymer matrix, i.e. being in biocompatible form without losing their unique properties. The removal of water from the pores of the hydrogel by means of freeze drying allowed to obtain materials having high porosity and with included carbon nanotubes. The produced hydrogels can be used to create eco-friendly composite materials for biomedical and technical purposes. Depending on the tasks the developed systems can also be used in the forms of xerogel (films), cryogel, aerogel, and even in the form of powder, containing carbon nanotubes.