Layer-by-layer assembly of Cu3(BTC)2 on chitosan non-woven fabrics: a promising haemostatic decontaminant composite material against sulfur mustard

Cu3(BTC)2 (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) was anchored onto the surface of carboxymethylated chitosan non-woven fabrics by a controllable layer-by-layer technique in alternating solution baths of Cu(OAc)2·H2O and H3BTC solutions, and the resulting [Cu3(BTC)2]n@chitosan non-woven fabric composite materials (n = number of alternate deposition cycles) were thoroughly characterized. The results showed that the composite materials not only exhibited excellent decontamination ability against sulfur mustard (HD), with an enhanced degradation rate of HD with increasing n, but also possessed remarkable haemostasis performance. The degradation efficiency of sulfur mustard by [Cu3(BTC)2]4@chitosan was found to be much higher than that of pristine [Cu3(BTC)2]4. The inherent haemostatic capabilities of the chitosan non-woven fabrics were not affected by the growth of Cu3(BTC)2 on the surface of chitosan. Oral and histological toxicity examinations of the pristine Cu3(BTC)2 sample showed that damage and toxicity in the viscera of mice was very low, even if the intra-gastric administration dose of Cu3(BTC)2 reached a very high level (50 mg of Cu3(BTC)2 per kg of mouse). The results have shown that the as-prepared composite can be used safely as a promising haemostatic decontaminant with good recyclability against sulfur mustard.