Preparation of chitosan nanospheres and optimization of process parameters by response surface method

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, chitosan (CS) was used as raw material to prepare CS nanospheres by emulsion cross‐linking method, and the influence of process parameters on the microscopic morphology and particle size distribution of nanospheres was investigated. In addition, through the establishment of a response surface model, the influence of various process parameters on the preparation process of CS microspheres was explored, which provides basic data and theoretical basis for preparing uniform CS nanospheres and putting them into actual production to realize intelligent processing. Through scanning electron microscopy and particle size distribution test, the optimal preparation process conditions of CS nanospheres are obtained: CS concentration is 2.0%, cross‐linking agent ratio is 6:100, stirring speed is 400 r/min, and the minimum particle size is 99.65 nm. The response surface model has good fitting degree, and the experimental error is small. The influence order of technological parameters is CS concentration > cross‐linking agent ratio > stirring speed, and the optimal parameters are CS concentration is 1.97%, the cross‐linking agent ratio is 6:100, the stirring speed is 450.29 r/min, and the predicted minimum particle size is 95.10 nm.