title: Long-alkane-chain modified N-phthaloyl chitosan membranes with controlled permeability.
abstract: A series of N-phthaloyl acylated chitosan membranes with controlled permeability were synthesized by the regioselective protection of the chitosan amino groups as the corresponding phthalimides followed by reaction with the long-chain dodecanoyl chloride. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) analysis suggested that the degree of substitution (DS) ranged from 2.8 to 3.6. Contact angles, water retention values and mechanical examinations demonstrated that the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the membranes were all improved significantly following the modifications, together with their solubility in many organic solvents. Thermal weight change analysis demonstrated that a higher DS provided enhanced thermal properties. The controlled permeability of the membranes was determined by measuring the diffusion of urea, and the amount of urea released decreased significantly with increasing DS. The comprehensive properties of the membranes could be tuned by regulating their DS values as required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shuming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Xueqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Shuwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010539:Permeability; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014508:Urea / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012997:Solvents; D014508:Urea; D048271:Chitosan