Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Ag/Chitosan Composites

In this paper, the optimum synthesis conditions of nano-Ag/chitosan composites were studied, and the effects of silver nitrate dosage on the shape memory effect and mechanical properties of the composites were further characterized. The present study shows that the optimum conditions for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are: 1 % silver nitrate, 1 g chitosan, a synthesis temperature of 90 °C, and a reaction time of 5 h. The Ag NPs not only improve the shape memory efficiency of the composite material, but also improve the mechanical properties. The pristine sample of chitosan material did not restore its original shape after 41 s, however, the shape recovery rate of Ag/chitosan composites reached more than 90 % after 21 s. Moreover, the tensile strength of the composite material was as high as 88.9 MPa after adding Ag NPs, increasing by 82.17 % compared to pristine samples.