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Published on: January 14, 2020
Strong Hydrophobic Interaction of High Molecular Weight Chitosan in Aqueous Solution
Haeun Kwon1, Jieun Choi1, Chanoong Lim1
1School of Energy & Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Chitosan is a versatile bioactive polysaccharide in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals and environmental applications, owing to its abundance, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. To effectively harness its potential for various purposes, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of its interaction in water. This study investigates the interactions between high molecular weight (HMW, >150 kDa) chitosan and four different functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at three different pHs (3.0, 6.5, and 8.5) using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). We report that HMW chitosan exhibits the strongest adhesion to methyl-terminated SAM (CH3-SAM) at all pHs, showing potential for strong hydrophobic interactions against other molecules containing hydrophobic moieties. Noting that hydrogen bonding has been considered the dominating interaction mechanism of chitosan, the consequence of this study provides valuable insights into its applications in developing chitosan-based eco-friendly materials.
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