Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
12:00
Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
Chitosan membranes modified by contact with poly(acrylic acid)
M S P De Lima1, M S Freire, J L C Fonseca
1Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Lagoa Nova, Natal, CP1662, RN 59078-970, Brazil.
Carbohydrate Research
|June 27, 2009
Summary
This study modified chitosan membranes with poly(acrylic acid) at different temperatures. The resulting polyelectrolyte complex membranes exhibited altered properties, notably reduced permeability, offering a simple method for membrane modification.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Chitosan membranes are widely used but require property modification for specific applications.
- Poly(acrylic acid) is a polyelectrolyte that can interact with chitosan to form complexes.
- Controlling the interaction conditions can tune the properties of the resulting composite materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the modification of chitosan membranes using poly(acrylic acid) at varying temperatures.
- To characterize the structural and property changes in chitosan membranes after poly(acrylic acid) treatment.
- To evaluate the impact of these modifications on membrane permeability for drug delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Chitosan membranes were treated with poly(acrylic acid) solutions at 25°C and 60°C.
- Characterization included FTIR-ATR, water sorption, thermal analysis (TG/DTG), and SEM.
- In vitro permeation studies were performed using metronidazole and sodium sulfamerazine solutions.
Main Results:
- FTIR-ATR confirmed polyelectrolyte complex formation between chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) via NH3+ and COO- bands.
- Higher treatment temperature (60°C) led to deeper PAA penetration and a thicker complex layer.
- Treated membranes showed decreased hydrophilicity, increased thermal stability, and significantly lower permeability.
Conclusions:
- A simple and efficient method for modifying chitosan membrane properties, particularly permeability, was demonstrated.
- The temperature of poly(acrylic acid) treatment critically influences the extent of membrane modification.
- The resulting chitosan-poly(acrylic acid) polyelectrolyte complex membranes show potential for controlled release applications.
