Controlled deposition of structured polymer films: chemical and rheological factors in chitosan film formation.
The technique of "spread coating" has been used to create thin films from solutions of deacetylated and butyl-modified chitosan polymer, and the effect of deposition rate on film thickness has been characterized. Results show that films of controlled thickness can be reproducibly produced and that hydrophobic modification of the polymer can extend the range over which a linear response between film thickness and deposition rate is achieved. Viscometry and fluorescence spectroscopy were also employed to characterize the micellar characteristics of solutions of both deacetylated and butyl-modified chitosan polymer. Although both deacetylated and butyl-modified chitosan solutions were found to have inter- and intramolecular interactions, as well as hydrophobic domains able to incorporate fluorophores, deacetylated chitosan was found to be more interconnected via intermolecular interactions at higher concentrations. These results are important as having the ability to understand how the introduction of hydrophobic modification, a technique shown to introduce solution-based micelle structure and micellar aggregates that support enzyme immobilization, affects film thickness and morphology of spread coated thin films will aid the long-term development and deployment of chitosan-based biofuel cell electrodes.
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States.
Sedef F
SF
Maloy
Georgianna L
GL
Martin
Plamen
P
Atanassov
Michael J
MJ
Cooney
D048271:Chitosan / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012212:Rheology
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D048271:Chitosan