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Electrosprayed Chitosan-Copper Complex Microspheres with Uniform Size
Andrea Lončarević1, Marica Ivanković1, Anamarija Rogina1
1Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 13, 2021
Summary
This study shows how cupric ions (Cu2+) affect electrosprayed chitosan-copper (CHT-Cu2+) microspheres. Higher Cu2+ concentrations reduce microsphere size and viscosity, improving their stability for applications like drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chitosan-based nano- and microspheres are promising for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wastewater treatment.
- Controlling the size, shape, and microstructure of these spheres remains a significant challenge.
- Electrospraying offers a method for producing chitosan microspheres, but optimization is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of cupric ions (Cu2+) on the properties of electrosprayed chitosan-copper (CHT-Cu2+) complex microspheres.
- To determine how different degrees of chitosan deacetylation interact with Cu2+.
- To assess the impact of Cu2+ concentration on microsphere size, shape, morphology, and stability.
Main Methods:
- Electrospraying of chitosan-copper (CHT-Cu2+) solutions with varying Cu2+ concentrations.
- Measurement of solution dynamic viscosity using a Höppler viscometer.
- Characterization of microspheres using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).
- Evaluation of microsphere stability in different buffer solutions.
Main Results:
- Increased Cu2+ concentration led to decreased dynamic viscosity of CHT-Cu2+ solutions and a reduced volume ratio of microspheres.
- ATR-FTIR analysis indicated coordination between chitosan's nitrogen and oxygen atoms and Cu2+ ions.
- SEM and light microscopy confirmed spherical morphology, with higher Cu2+ concentrations resulting in smaller microsphere sizes and altered surface topography.
- All prepared microspheres exhibited good stability in aqueous media.
Conclusions:
- Electrospraying is an effective method for producing uniform CHT-Cu2+ microspheres.
- Cu2+ concentration significantly influences the viscosity, size, and morphology of electrosprayed chitosan microspheres.
- The resulting CHT-Cu2+ microspheres demonstrate good stability, highlighting their potential for various applications.
