Chitosan aerogel containing mechanically fibrillated fibroin and its model test for wound dressing

Abstract The biopolymer aerogels of silk fibroin and chitosan composites exhibited brilliant properties such as biocompatibility, antibacterial, nontoxicity, and renewability. Silk fibroin nanofibrils (150–300 nm) can be effectively produced via a wet mechanical method. The introduction of fibroin nanofibrils into chitosan aerogels improved their bioactivity in a stimulus environment, mechanical properties, and promoted wound healing. The results of chitosan aerogels with additional fibroin aerogels revealed a high mechanical modulus (>2.5 MPa, at 80% load), high swelling ratio (>400%), and ideal exudate uptake (>100%). The obtained bio‐aerogels could be prospective for medical applications such as biomaterials and wound dressing. Highlights Green processes to produce 3D chitosan aerogels containing silk fibroin nanofibrils. Valuable properties of CS aerogels with a small weight range of mechanically fibrillated fibroin. CS/FNF aerogels exhibited greater absorption and swelling properties than CS aerogel alone.