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Chitosan-based membranes with different ionic crosslinking density for pharmaceutical and industrial applications
Magdalena Gierszewska1, Jadwiga Ostrowska-Czubenko1
1Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Gagarina St. 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|August 27, 2016
Summary
This study shows how chitosan (Ch) membrane crosslinking with pentasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) affects its structure and water content. Crosslinking conditions significantly influence membrane properties, impacting non-freezing water amounts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Chitosan (Ch) membranes are versatile biomaterials.
- Ionic crosslinking with pentasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) is a common method to modify Ch properties.
- Understanding the influence of synthesis conditions on Ch/TPP membrane characteristics is crucial for optimizing their applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of crosslinking conditions on the molecular structure, supermolecular structure, and crosslinking density of Ch/TPP membranes.
- To analyze the impact of crosslinking on membrane roughness, hydrophilicity, and water state.
- To evaluate the role of chitosan molecular weight and crosslinking density on membrane properties.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of Chitosan (Ch)/Pentasodium Tripolyphosphate (TPP) membranes with varying crosslinking conditions.
- Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry.
- Assessment of surface properties via Atomic-Force Microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements.
- Investigation of water state using Low-Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
Main Results:
- Synthesis conditions (pH 5.5 vs. 9.0) significantly affected the molecular and supermolecular structure and crosslinking density of Ch/TPP membranes.
- Membrane roughness and hydrophilicity varied with crosslinking conditions, as observed by AFM and contact angle measurements.
- DSC analysis confirmed the presence of freezing and non-freezing water, with crosslinking generally decreasing non-freezing water content, influenced by crosslinking conditions and density.
- Chitosan molecular weight had a minimal impact on the characterized properties of the crosslinked membranes.
Conclusions:
- Ionic crosslinking of chitosan with TPP is an effective method to tailor membrane properties.
- Crosslinking conditions play a critical role in determining the structural, surface, and water-binding characteristics of Ch/TPP membranes.
- The amount of non-freezing water in Ch/TPP membranes is sensitive to crosslinking parameters, suggesting implications for applications involving controlled water interaction.
