Abstract: As a natural organic polymer, chitosan shows excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and antimicrobial properties and it has already been used as an antimicrobial agent. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial properties of chitosan are easily influenced by its own factors and external conditions, which hinders its broad application. Therefore, strengthen the antimicrobial activity and promote the application of chitosan have become the focus research. When chitosan is incorporated into inorganic nanomaterials to form composite materials, a synergistical complementary effect of organic and inorganic components can be acquired, which will dramatically improve the antimicrobial activity of the materials. Thanks to the favorable mechanical strength and biocompatibility, chitosan/inorganic nanocomposites have been extensively applied in the field of water treatment, food, textile, cosmetics, medicine and aroused great interests of researchers. In this article, the mechanisms and influencing factors of antimicrobial properties of chitosan are summarized. The preparation and application of nanocomposites of chitosan and inorganic materials like metal, metal oxide, layered silicate, carbon materials in antimicrobial field are introduced in detail, and their prospective for development in the antimicrobial field is proposed as well.
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