Multi-functional eco-friendly 3D scaffolds based on N-acyl thiolated chitosan for potential adsorption of methyl orange and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Based upon the thiolation influenced the methyl orange (MO) adsorption, this work proposes that thiolated chitosans (or thiomers) can be used for selective hazardous dyes adsorption with antibacterial activity. Herein we designed and developed novel three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds made of N-acyl thiolated chitosan using 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. These hydrogels exhibited 3D hierarchical pore structure (porosity > 82%) and surface area (10 m(2) . g(-1)), and demonstrated high adsorption capacity for MO anionic dye pollutant ((434.89 +/- 12.46) mg.g(-1)) in water. The adsorption data were well-fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich's isotherm. Moreover, the thiolated-chitosan proved antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa regularly found in hospital discharges. Thus, for the first time, bi-functional thiolated-chitosan 3D-scaffolds were produced by combining green bio-sorbent behavior for organic dyes and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, which offers an innovative strategy for the treatment of multi-polluted and contaminated water bodies.