Vinyl-chitosan macromonomer : an approach for controlled structure chitosan

Abstract

The preparation of water-soluble low molecular weight chitosan (LMCS) by acid hydrolysis is reported. The change in appearance from flake to powder and the reduction in molecular weight related to the hydrolysis time are clarified. The packing structure of low molecular weight chitosan observed from wide angle X-ray diffraction demonstrates the major change in reduction of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Vinyl-chitosan macromonomer is originally proposed using the water-soluble low molecular weight chitosan reacted with acrylic acid monomer. The polymerization of acrylic acid and vinyl-chitosan macromonomer under the optimal molar ratio and reaction temperature are studied to clarify that the polymer obtained is a gel. The water absorption is applied to evaluate the performance of the gel product.