Original: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhip.2025.12.003
Combining natural biopolymers with two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has created new opportunities to develop materials that are high-performance, eco-friendly, and multifunctional. Chitosan is a natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible material that is widely used in medical and environmental fields. However, its applications are limited because it is mechanically weak, does not conduct electricity well, and has limited functions.
To address these problems, researchers have recently developed chitosan-based composites by adding 2D nanomaterials such as graphene, MoS₂, and MXenes. These composite materials show greatly improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and biological performance due to strong interactions between chitosan and the nanomaterials.
This review summarizes the latest methods used to make these materials, including solution casting, electrospinning, and layer-by-layer assembly, and explains how these methods affect material properties. The improved properties of chitosan–2D nanocomposites make them suitable for advanced uses such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, antibacterial coatings, and environmental cleanup.
In addition, the review discusses how chemical interactions at the interface and the internal structure of the materials influence their performance. It also examines current challenges, such as large-scale production, safety concerns, and regulatory approval. Finally, future research directions are presented, including smart materials that respond to external stimuli and the use of artificial intelligence to design new materials.
Overall, this review shows that chitosan–2D nanocomposites have strong potential as sustainable next-generation materials that connect nanotechnology, biotechnology, and green innovation.