BIO-BASED ALGINATE/LIGNIN/CHITOSAN HYBRID HYDROGEL COMPOSITES INCORPORATING ZNO FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL PLA NONWOVEN FABRICS

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and bio-based materials has accelerated the development of multifunctional hydrogel systems potential for biomedical applications. In this study, hydrogel–textile composites based on alginate, lignin, chitosan, and zinc oxide (ZnO) were synthesized via a sol–gel approach at two alginate concentrations (0.5% and 1%) and applied as functional coatings onto polylactic acid (PLA) nonwoven fabrics. The coated fabrics were systematically characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, SEM/EDS, and tensile testing, while air permeability, water absorption, and antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. The hydrogel coatings enhanced the surface characteristics and antibacterial performance of the PLA nonwovensubstrates while maintaining their mechanical integrity. FTIR analysis suggested possible intermolecular interactions among the biopolymer components, particularly in the high-alginate SA/L/CS/ZnO (Y3) formulation. SEM observations indicated the formation of a hydrogel coating on the examined fabric regions, while EDS analysis qualitatively confirmed the presence of ZnO. The coated fabrics exhibited antibacterial efficiencies exceeding 98% together with improved tensile properties. Increasing sodium alginate content also enhanced water absorption, although a reduction in air permeability was observed. The developed bio-based hydrogel–textile composites exhibited promising mechanical, antibacterial, and fluid-management properties, supporting their potential for further investigation in sustainable medical textile applications.