Continuum of structural organization from chitosan solutions to derived physical forms.
The structural organization of chitosan, a cationic polyelectrolyte, in aqueous solutions of high ionic strength, is investigated by quasi-elastic light scattering and wet scanning transmission electron microscopy. The formation of submicrometric chain aggregates driven by hydrophobic interactions is evidenced. These heterogeneities are at the core of the multiscale morphology of physical hydrogels processed from this polysaccharide. Therefore, a close structural relationship exists between the initial solution and the final hydrogel.
Popa-Nita
Simina
S
Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5223 IMP, Laboratoire des Matériaux Polyméres et Biomatériaux, Bât. ISTIL, 15, bd. André Latarjet, F-69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France.
Alcouffe
Pierre
P
Rochas
Cyrille
C
David
Laurent
L
Domard
Alain
A
D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D012996:Solutions; D013499:Surface Properties
D020100:Hydrogels; D012996:Solutions; D048271:Chitosan