Physico-mechanical properties and SEM of sol–gel plates based on chitosan L-(D-)ascorbate

Abstract

In our previous studies, it was shown that the isomeric form of ascorbic acid (L-or D-AscA) used to obtain the salt form of chitosan had a significant effect on the total space charge, size and general chirality of chitosan ascorbate macromolecules in solution, their stereomeric ordering in lyophilically isolated solid phase, as well as the kinetics of sol–gel synthesis of materials based thereon. This study examines the effect of L- and D-AscA on the physico-mechanical and morphological properties of thin-film sol–gel plates based on chitosan L-or D-ascorbate without and with Aloe Vera juice added. It has been established that the AscA isoform has a significant effect on the elastoplastic characteristics of the samples and the surface relief of their solid phase. The addition of Aloe Vera also leads to significant texturing of the surface relief. The latter could be used to design specific optical sensors and optodes of medico-biological purposes.