Microwave Drying of Chitosan–Silver Nanoparticle Membranes for Antimicrobial Wound Healing

ABSTRACT This study examines the antimicrobial properties and drying kinetics of chitosan–silver nanoparticle membranes. Chitosan exhibits limited antimicrobial properties, whereas its incorporation with silver nanoparticles (37.08 nm) enhances its efficacy by mixing chitosan and silver nitrate, followed by microwave heating at 300 W for 1 min. The solution was then microwave‐dried at 100–450 W, with the highest drying rate observed at 450 W. Effective diffusivities increased with microwave power, and activation energy for chitosan–silver nanoparticle membranes was determined at 49.28 W g −1 , respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed reduced peak steepness at lower microwave power. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed nanoparticle agglomeration and surface rupture at 300 W. Studies showed that chitosan–silver nanoparticle membranes exhibited stronger antimicrobial properties, highlighting microwave drying's potential in antimicrobial wound‐healing materials.