Zeolite A enhanced chitosan films with high water absorption ability and antimicrobial activity

Zeolite A/CS xerogel hybrid films were prepared by in-situ crystallization method with uniform structure and good strength. The hybrid films prepared from the precursor films dried at 50 °C showed zeolite A was well crystallized. The hybrid films show high water absorption, good elastic strength and Young modulus. The antimicrobial ability of the hybrid films was investigated after Ag+-ion exchanged. The Ag+-exchanged hybrid films with 35% (mass) content of zeolite A showed the highest antimicrobial activity, which could reduce the concentration of the microbial to zero after 7 h.