Preparation and characterization of chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol)–neomycin sulfate films

The aim of our study was obtaining chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol)–neomycin sulfate films (Cs–PVA–Ne) by using solvent casting technique and the characterization of the products. The films were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry (TG and DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle (CA) measurements, mechanical, and antibacterial activity tests. FTIR and DSC analysis demonstrated that interaction between Cs, PVA, and Ne took place. Static water CA measurements showed an improvement in the hydrophilicity of the Cs–PVA–Ne films. Also, the drug-loaded films proved to have fairly good mechanical strength and significant effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The unloaded films show minimum bacterial inhibition (~ 10.00 mm) compared to drug-loaded films (~ 30.00 mm). The bacterial inhibition was higher in all the cases of S. aureus than E. coli. Furthermore, PVA was found to improve the films properties. Due to their physical–chemical and mechanical features and the excellent antibacterial properties, the obtained Cs–PVA–Ne films are suitable for their use as wound-dressing materials.