Chitosan nanostructures deposited from solutions in carbonic acid on a model substrate as resolved by AFM

Probing the Molecular Interactions of Chitosan Films in Acidic Solutions with Different Salt Ions

Understanding the interaction mechanisms of chitosan films plays a central role in a wide range of its applications, such as bioadhesive, drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and wastewater treatment for heavy metal ions. Here, we investigated the molecular interactions between chitosan films in acidic solutions with different salt ions using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). The results showed that chitosan can be adsorbed to mica surfaces by electrostatic interaction under acidic conditions. The force measurements demonstrated that the interactions depend on the salt types, concentrations, and contact time. With the addition of 1 mM LaCl3 and NaCl into the acetic acid (HAc) buffer solution, the cohesion between chitosan films enhanced by about 45% and 20%, respectively, after a contact time of 60 min. The enhanced cohesion induced by the combination of partly intermolecular complexation formation in a bridge model and conformation adjustment of chitosan under contact time in 1 mM LaCl3 solution. However, the cohesion reduced rapidly and even disappeared when the salt concentration increased to 10 mM and 100 mM. We proposed that the cross-linked structures of chitosan mainly contribute to the significant reduction of chitosan cohesion in LaCl3 solution. In comparison, the decrease in cohesion capacity in NaCl solution mainly results from the enhanced hydration effect. Our findings may provide insights into the interaction mechanisms of chitosan films under nanoconfinement in acidic conditions and suggestions for the development of chitosan-based materials.

Utilization of flax (Linum usitatissimum) cellulose nanocrystals as reinforcing material for chitosan films

Use of plastic based packaging tools is causing both health and economic problems. To overcome this situation, researchers are focusing on the use of different biomaterials such as chitosan and cellulose. The current study was conducted to check the effect of flax (Linum usitatissimum) cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan-based films. CNC was incorporated in different concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 30%). CNC was isolated from flax fiber using acid hydrolysis method. Tensile strength (TS) and young modulus (YM) values increased with the increase of CNC concentration. Chitosan film with 20% CNC revealed the highest YM value as 52.35MPa. No significant improvement was recorded in water vapor permeability due to overall lower film crystallinity. All the films were observed to be transparent up to an acceptable level. SEM and AFM analysis confirmed the homogeneity of films. A gradual enhancement was recorded in the antimicrobial activity of chitosan/CNC composite films. No significant improvement revealed in the thermal stability of composites.

Mechanism of chitosan adsorption on silica from aqueous solutions

We present a study of the adsorption of chitosan on silica. The adsorption behavior and the resulting layer properties are investigated by combining optical reflectometry and the quartz crystal microbalance. Exactly the same surfaces are used to measure the amount of adsorbed chitosan with both techniques, allowing the systematic combination of the respective experimental results. This experimental protocol makes it possible to accurately determine the thickness of the layers and their water content for chitosan adsorbed on silica from aqueous solutions of varying composition. In particular, we study the effect of pH in 10 mM NaCl, and we focus on the influence of electrolyte type and concentration for two representative pH conditions. Adsorbed layers are stable, and their properties are directly dependent on the behavior of chitosan in solution. In mildly acidic solutions, chitosan behaves like a weakly charged polyelectrolyte, whereby electrostatic attraction is the main driving force for adsorption. Under these conditions, chitosan forms rigid and thin adsorption monolayers with an average thickness of approximately 0.5 nm and a water content of roughly 60%. In neutral solutions, on the other hand, chitosan forms large aggregates, and thus adsorption layers are significantly thicker (∼10 nm) as well as dissipative, resulting in a large maximum of adsorbed mass around the pK of chitosan. These films are also characterized by a substantial amount of water, up to 95% of their total mass. Our results imply the possibility to produce adsorption layers with tailored properties simply by adjusting the solution chemistry during adsorption.