Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Research Articles

Methods to Enhance Mechanical Strength of 3D Printed Chitosan Scaffolds for Jawbone Regeneration

Current jaw reconstruction methods using autografts and allografts have limitations such as donor site morbidity, limited bone volume, and immunological rejection. As opposed to surgical methods synthetic biomaterials are used however they often fall short in providing the optimal combination of biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and customizable design required for effective jawbone reconstruction. 3D-printed chitosan scaffolds offer a promising alternative due to their biocompatibility, ease of customization, and potential for improved mechanical strength. This review explores strategies to optimize 3D-printed chitosan scaffolds for jaw reconstruction. We examine ways to increase their mechanical strength without compromising biocompatibility, with a particular emphasis on chemical modifications such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) cross-linking and chitosan polyelectrolyte complex formation. We also discuss the critical roles that 3D printing processes (FDM and SLA) and intrinsic chitosan qualities (degree of deacetylation) play in making an ink printable. Optimizing 3D printing methods for chitosan-ceramic composites and exploring biocompatible additives to enhance printability are identified as key areas for further research. By addressing these challenges, 3D-printed chitosan scaffolds have the potential to become next-generation biomaterials for jaw reconstruction, revolutionizing the field through precise anatomical adaptation, enhanced osteoconductivity, controlled biodegradation, and the capacity for incorporating bioactive molecules, ultimately leading to accelerated bone regeneration and improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Sustainable lignosulfonate-modified PA6.6 fabrics to improve durable flame retardancy, hydrophilicity and mechanical performance

Creating durable flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical performance, and hydrophilic polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) textiles via cost-effectiveness from sustainable renewable sources is a considerable challenge. This study introduces a pretreatment process involving the application of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) to the surface of PA6.6 fabrics, thereby enhancing their hydrophilic and flame-retardant properties. Subsequently, a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating treatment is employed, utilizing renewable polyelectrolytes—chitosan (CS), LS, and poly (sodium phosphate) (PSP)—to create 8-bilayer (BL) and 4-quarda layer (QL) structures that further improve the hydrophilicity and durable flame resistance of PA6.6 fabrics. The combined LS-modified and LbL coatings notably increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values from 19.5 % to 22.5 %, eliminated melt dripping, and secured a V-1 rating in the vertical burning (UL-94) tests. Moreover, the treated fabrics exhibited a 43 % reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a lower fire growth rate (FGR) of 0.84 W/g·s, with a significant increase in char yield% in both air and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. A cross-linked network structure is responsible for the superior hydrophilicity, enhanced tensile strength, and fabric softening properties. The self-crosslinking of sulfur-containing radicals with amide units ensures an anti-dripping performance that can withstand up to 30 home laundering cycles, demonstrating remarkable washing durability. However, a convincing approach has been developed for sustainable and high-performance materials for the textile industry, and a simple LbL technique using renewable polyelectrolytes that have traditionally been utilized in water treatment and food processing has been developed.

Flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of bio-based chitosan polyelectrolyte flame retardant containing P and N in epoxy resin

This study reports the successful synthesis of flame-retardant and smoke-suppressing epoxy resin (EP) via bio-based polyelectrolyte flame retardants. Herein, a novel polyelectrolyte flame retardant was prepared from chitosan (CS) and hexa-(4-carboxyl-phenoxy)-cyclotriphosphazene (HCPCP) by acid-base neutralization reaction, which the HCPCP was synthesized with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (MP) by nucleophilic substitution reaction. The combined effect of the addition on the flame retardant, smoke suppression and mechanical properties of EP samples were systematically investigated. The presence of this bio-based polyelectrolyte provided excellent smoke suppression and flame-retardant properties of the prepared EP. Among them, the peak heat release rate (PHRR), peak smoke production rate (PSPR) and total smoke production (TSP) of EP/9wt%3CS-HCPCP composite (the ratio of CS to HCPCP was 3: 7, and the dosage was 9 wt%) were reduced by 45.42 %, 41.66 % and 22.56 %, respectively. In addition, the EP/CS-HCPCP composites showed a 207.80 % enhancement in char residue compared to pure EP. These results suggest a green and cost-effective strategy for the production of flame-retardant, drip-proof and smoke-suppressed EP composites.

Mussel Foot Protein-Inspired Adhesive Tapes with Tunable Underwater Adhesion.

Instant and strong adhesion to underwater adherends is a big challenge due to the continuous interference of water. Mussel foot protein-bioinspired catechol-based adhesives have garnered great interest in addressing this issue. Herein, a novel self-made catecholic compound with a long aliphatic chain was utilized to prepare thin (∼0.07 mm) and optically transparent (>80%) wet/underwater adhesive tapes by UV-initiated polymerization. Its adhesion activity was water-triggered, fast (<1 min), and strong (adhesion strength to porcine skin: ∼1.99 MPa; interfacial toughness: ∼610 J/m2, burst pressure: ∼1950 mmHg). The effect of the catechol/phenol group and positively charged moiety on the wet/underwater adhesion to abiotic/biotic substrates was investigated. On the wet/underwater adherends, the tape with catechol groups presented much higher interfacial toughness, adhesion strength, and burst pressure than the analogous tape with phenol groups. The tape with both the catechol group and cationic polyelectrolyte chitosan had a more impressive improvement in its adhesion to wet/underwater biological tissues than to abiotic substrates. Therefore, catechol and a positive moiety in the tape would synergistically enhance its wet/underwater adhesion to various substrates, especially to biological tissues. The instant, strong, and noncytotoxic tape may provide applications in underwater adhesion for sealing and wound closure.

Cytotoxicity and antibacterial susceptibility assessment of a newly developed pectin–chitosan polyelectrolyte composite for dental implants

Biopolymers such as chitosan and pectin are currently attracting significant attention because of their unique properties, which are valuable in the food industry and pharmaceutical applications. These properties include non-toxicity, compatibility with biological systems, natural decomposition ability, and structural adaptability. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of two different ratios of pectin–chitosan polyelectrolyte composite (PCPC) after applying them as a coating to commercially pure titanium (CpTi) substrates using electrospraying. The PCPC was studied in ratios of 1:2 and 1:3, while the control group consisted of CpTi substrates without any coating. The pull-off adhesion strength, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial susceptibility tests were utilized to evaluate the PCPC coatings. In order to determine whether the composite coating was the result of physical blending or chemical bonding, the topographic surface parameters were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). PCPC (1:3) had the highest average cell viability of 93.42, 89.88, and 86.85% after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively, as determined by the cytotoxicity assay, when compared to the other groups. According to the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method for testing antibacterial susceptibility, PCPC (1:3) showed the highest average diameter of the zone of inhibition, measuring 14.88, 14.43, and 11.03 mm after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, respectively. This difference was highly significant compared to Group 3 at all three time periods. PCPC (1:3) exhibited a significantly higher mean pull-off adhesion strength (521.6 psi) compared to PCPC (1:2), which revealed 419.5 psi. PCPC (1:3) coated substrates exhibited better surface roughness parameters compared to other groups based on the findings of the AFM. The FTIR measurement indicated that both PCPC groups exhibited a purely physical blending in the composite coating. Based on the extent of these successful in vitro experiments, PCPC (1:3) demonstrates its potential as an effective coating layer. Therefore, the findings of this study pave the way for using newly developed PCPC after electrospraying coating on CpTi for dental implants.

Xanthan gum and chitosan polyelectrolyte hydrogels with self-reinforcement of Zn+2 for wound dressing applications

A straightforward methodology was employed for the self-reinforcement of zinc ions (Zn+2) within the polyelectrolyte complexation of xanthan gum (XG) and chitosan (CS) using D (+)-glucuronic acid-δ-lactone (GDL) as an acidifying agent in aqueous environment. The self-reinforcement and polyelectrolyte complexation between XG and CS was primarily achieved by maintaining acidic conditions through the use of GDL. GDL produces H+ ions, not only in converting ZnO to Zn+2 ions but also in facilitating the polyelectrolyte complexation between XG and CS. The confirmation of Zn+2 self-reinforcement was evident through the disappearance of ZnO, as observed in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns. The compressive properties of self-reinforced Zn+2 within XG-CS hydrogels were evaluated, and their compressive strength was found to depend significantly on the reinforcement of ZnO nanoparticles. Incorporating 1 wt% ZnO improved the compressive strength of the hydrogels, decreasing further with an increasing amount of ZnO (3 wt%), as confirmed by compressive analysis. Detailed SEM images conclusively demonstrated The hydrogels porous structure, and elemental analysis verified the presence of Zn+2 ions. The antibacterial activity of Zn+2 reinforced XG-CS hydrogel showed excellent antibacterial activity towards both positive and negative bacteria. Furthermore, the biocompatibility analysis was assessed through an in vitro study that confirmed good biocompatibility towards NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. Thus, a robust inhibitory effect of bacterial growth and biocompatibility of developed hydrogels hold promise in advanced wound dressings for infected wounds.

Антимікробна та противірусна активність нанокомпозитів на основі поліелектролітних комплексів з наночастинками срібла

Recently, nanocomposite materials containing nanoparticles of metals such as silver, copper and zinc oxide have attracted most attention due to their pronounced pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory ability and high stability in extreme conditions. Polyelectrolyte complexes based on polymers of natural origin, namely polysaccharides of chitosan and pectin, which can stabilize nanoparticles of a smaller size than individual polymers have significant potential for creation of silver-containing nanocomposites. The aim of this article is to study the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of silver-containing nanocomposites based on polyelectrolyte complexes. Methods. Peculiarities of the structural organization of silver-containing nanocomposites were investigated by the method of wide-angle scattering on an XRD-7000 diffractometer. The morphology of Ag nanoparticles in polymer matrixes were studied by transmission electron microscopy method (transmission electron microscope JEOL 100 CXII). The antimicrobial activity of silver-containing nanocomposites was determined by agar diffusion assays against opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity were investigated using the MTT method and staining by gentian violet. Results. Analysis of wide-angle X-ray diffractograms of silver-containing nanocomposites based on polyelectrolyte complexes Na-CMC (pectin) – chitosan showed that at reduction of Ag+ ions to metallic silver, there are two low-intensity diffraction maxima at 2θm ~ 380 and 440 in the diffractograms. These maxima correspond to the crystallographic planes of the face-centered cubic lattice of silver, are characterized by indices (111) and (200), respectively, and confirm the presence of metallic silver in the polymer system. Analysis of micrographs of silver-containing nanocomposites based on Na-CMC and chitosan showed that larger nanoparticles are formed with increasing the molecular weight of chitosan. The dependence of the size of silver nanoparticles on the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation at reduction of silver ion in polyelectrolyte-metal complexes Na-CMC–Ag+–chitosan of low molecular weight was also revealed. In particular, smaller particles are formed under irradiation by light with a shorter wavelength (λ =254 nm) than at λ=365 nm. Silver-containing nanocomposites Na-СMC-Ag-chitosan and pectin citrus-Ag-chitosan, obtained by reduction of Ag+ ions under ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength λ = 365 nm and λ = 254 nm, exhibit high antimicrobial activity against the test cultures of microorganisms S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa C. albicans. No significant dependence of antimicrobial activity on the molecular weight of the studied samples was noted: the obtained data were within close limits and had close values. In addition, no dependence of antimicrobial activity on the type of investigated test cultures of microorganisms was observed either. Nanocomposites based on Na-CMC-chitosan (λ = 365 nm) inhibited infection titer HSV-1 by (3.72–5.45) lgTCID50/mL, whereas the decrease in titer during incubation with samples based on citrus pectin-chitosan was within (2.39–2.42) lgTCID50/mL. A dose-dependent relationship between molecular weight of chitosan and reduction of infection titer was observed. It was found that silver-containing nanocomposites formed by reduction of silver ions in polyelectrolyte-metal complexes under ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths had no cytotoxic effect on cells of MDCK and BHK. Conclusions. The investigated silver-containing nanocomposites based on Na-CMC (pectin)-chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes show antimicrobial activity against test cultures of S. aureus, E. coli P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans along with antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 and influenza virus. It was established that the obtained nanocomposites did not show a cytotoxic effect on MDCK and BHK cells. The obtained data allow us to assert that investigated silver-containing nanocomposites are promising antimicrobial means for the development of new effective strategies against microorganisms and viruses and improvement of the population health.

Polyphosphate–Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexation

The literature on complexation between chitosan and sodium polyphosphates is limited to very short polyphosphates with degrees of polymerization of 2 to 6. Here, for the first time, polyelectrolyte complexation between chitosan and moderately long (Dp = 22) polyphosphates was studied. Using turbidity measurements, optical microscopy, and visual observations the phase diagram of the system was determined and compared to a traditionally deployed tripolyphosphate system. Such diagrams are rare but could be important to anticipate the products of a reaction of specific polyelectrolyte pairs. It was shown that this chitosan-polyphosphate system is not capable of forming coacervates and is therefore more appropriate for developing solid rather than liquid biomaterial precursors.

Recoverable and degradable carboxymethyl chitosan polyelectrolyte hydrogel film for ultra stable encapsulation of curcumin

Hydrogels have shown great potential for application in food science due to their diverse functionalities. However, most hydrogels inevitably contain toxic chemical cross-linking agent residues, posing serious food safety concerns. In this paper, a curcumin/sodium alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels (CSCH) were prepared by self-assembly of two oppositely charged polysaccharides, carboxymethyl chitosan and sodium alginate, to form a three-dimensional network encapsulating curcumin for extending food shelf life. The network structure of the CSCH film confirmed by FTIR, XRD, and XPS was mainly formed by electrostatic interactions. The chemical stability of CSCH network encapsulated curcumin was 4.2 times greater than that of free curcumin, with excellent gas barrier, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biosafety properties. It was found that CSCH films reduced dehydration, prevented nutrient loss, inhibited microbial growth, and lowered the respiration rate, which effectively maintained the quality of mango and prolonged its shelf-life up to 11 days. Notably, CSCH films possessed the properties of rapid recycling (10 mins) and biodegradability (53 days). This polysaccharide-based hydrogel film provides a viable strategy for the development of green and sustainable food packaging.

Additive manufacturing of wet-spun chitosan/hyaluronic acid scaffolds for biomedical applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) holds great potential for processing natural polymer hydrogels into 3D scaffolds exploitable for tissue engineering and in vitro tissue modelling. The aim of this research activity was to assess the suitability of computer-aided wet-spinning (CAWS) for AM of hyaluronic acid (HA)/chitosan (Cs) polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrogels. A post-printing treatment based on HA chemical cross-linking via transesterification with poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) (PMVEMA) was investigated to enhance the structural stability of the developed scaffolds in physiological conditions. PEC formation and the esterification reaction were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. In addition, variation of PMVEMA concentration in the cross-linking medium was demonstrated to strongly influence scaffold water uptake and its stability in phosphate buffer saline at 37 °C. The in vitro cytocompatibility of the developed hydrogels was demonstrated by employing the murine embryo fibroblast Balb/3T3 clone A31 cell line, highlighting that PMVEMA cross-linking improved scaffold cell colonization. The results achieved demonstrated that the developed hydrogels represent suitable 3D scaffolds for long term cell culture experiments.

3D printed polylactic acid-based nanocomposite scaffold stuffed with microporous simvastatin-loaded polyelectrolyte for craniofacial reconstruction

Critical sized craniofacial defects are among the most challenging bone defects to repair, due to the anatomical complexity and aesthetic importance. In this study, a polylactic acid/hardystonite-graphene oxide (PLA/HTGO) scaffold was fabricated through 3D printing. In order to upgrade the 3D printed scaffold to a highly porous scaffold, its channels were filled with pectin-quaternized chitosan (Pec-QCs) polyelectrolyte solution containing 0 or 20 mg/mL of simvastatin (Sim) and then freeze-dried. These scaffolds were named FD and FD-Sim, respectively. Also, similar PLA/HTGO scaffolds were prepared and dip coated with Pec-QCs solution containing 0 or 20 mg/mL of Sim and were named DC and DC-Sim, respectively. The formation of macro/microporous structure was confirmed by morphological investigations. The release of Sim from DC-Sim and FD-Sim scaffolds after 28 days was measured as 77.40 ± 5.25 and 86.02 ± 3.63 %, respectively. Cytocompatibility assessments showed that MG-63 cells had the highest proliferation, attachment and spread on the Sim containing scaffolds, especially FD-Sim. In vivo studies on a rat calvarial defect model revealed that an almost complete recovery occurred in the group treated with FD-Sim scaffold after 8 weeks and the defect was filled with newly formed bone. The results of this study acknowledge that the FD-Sim scaffold can be a perfect candidate for calvarial defect repair.

Alginate–Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes As Carriers for Fluorinated Tetraphenylporphyrin in Photosensitizing Systems of Singlet Oxygen Generation

Alginate–Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes As Carriers for Fluorinated Tetraphenylporphyrin in Photosensitizing Systems of Singlet Oxygen Generation

Alginate–Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes As Carriers for Fluorinated Tetraphenylporphyrin in Photosensitizing Systems of Singlet Oxygen Generation

Water-insoluble photosensitizing (PS) systems active in the generation of singlet 1O2 oxygen are obtained by immobilizing fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin (FTPP) from a solution in acetone on films of polyelectrolyte complexes based on sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan (CT), and on solid water-insoluble gels of alginate and chitosan. The obtained polymer PS systems are used to establish the intensity of the photoluminescence of singlet oxygen in D2O and the activity of the photocatalytic oxidation of tryptophan in water. It is shown that the photocatalytic activity in the tryptophan oxidation of fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin immobilized on a SA–CT polyelectrolyte complex and alginate solid gel is higher than that of FTPP immobilized on chitosan solid gel. Spectral-luminescent properties of polysaccharide–FTPP systems and the surface structure of carriers are studied via atomic force microscopy to determine the mechanism of the increase in porphyrin activity when it is fixed on alginate-containing carriers. It is suggested that aspects of the supramolecular structure of solid gels are responsible for the increase in the photocatalytic activity of FTPP upon immobilization on alginate-containing polysaccharide systems.

Synergistic improvement of mechanical and adsorption properties by constructing physical multiple-network hydrogel for removing uranium

Biomass hydrogels, a kind of favorable adsorbents, have been applied extensively in uranium removal due to its three-dimensional network structure. However, it usually can not maintain good mechanical properties and adsorption properties simultaneously. Furthermore, chemical hydrogels, due to the usage of hazardous chemical crosslinkers and initiators, would inevitably result in secondary environmental pollution during its preparation. To improve the poor mechanical property of biomass polymer gellen gum (GG) as an adsorbent, while maintaining its good adsorption capacity, a multiple-network hydrogel (GG-CS-Ca) was physicallly constructed by self-assembly using GG and another cationic polyelectrolyte chitosan (CS) together with Ca2+ in this work. The structure, morphology and stability were disclosed by FTIR, SEM, EDS, XPS and TG analysis. Furthermore, its adsorption properties were systematically investigated by static and dynamic adsorption testing. The results indicated that the mechanical strength of GG-CS-Ca was improved compared with as-prepared adsorbent GG-Ca while its adsorption capacity maintained at a higher level which was twice of the mechanically reinforcing GG-based adsorbent GG-CMKGM. It indeed achieved the synergistic improvement of mechanical strength and adsorption capacity. Moreover, it showed favorable acid-resistant stability because of the electrostatic crosslinking of negative GG and positive CS under high acidic condition. The dynamic adsorption analysis certified that it could be applied in actual uranium removing as an adsorbent and the application parameter could be predicted by Thomas and Yoon-Nelson model.

A novel hybrid electrode materials for supercapacitors based on polyelectrolyte chitosan complex

In this work, hybrid materials based on polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan with cobalt and nickel oxycompounds on the stainless steel surface were obtained using the non-stationary electrolysis method. Morphology, structure and elemental composition of the hybrid materials were studied. The X-ray phase analysis method allowed us to find that the main phase of the obtained hybrid materials is cobalt hydroxyisocyanate Co(OCN)0.6(OH)1.4(H2O)0.6. The electrochemical characteristics of the hybrid materials obtained were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) in an alkaline electrolyte. The specific capacitance was 479 F∙g−1 at the current density of 1 A∙g−1. The calculated energy density and power density of the cell was 0.055 W∙h∙kg−1 and 116 W∙kg−1, respectively. The results of long-term cycling allow us to conclude that the hybrid material is characterized by sufficient stability with capacity retention up to 85% after 5000 cycles.

A Voltammetric Sensor Based on Aluminophosphate Zeolite and a Composite of Betulinic Acid with a Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complex for the Identification and Determination of Naproxen Enantiomers

A Voltammetric Sensor Based on Aluminophosphate Zeolite and a Composite of Betulinic Acid with a Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complex for the Identification and Determination of Naproxen Enantiomers

A Voltammetric Sensor Based on Aluminophosphate Zeolite and a Composite of Betulinic Acid with a Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complex for the Identification and Determination of Naproxen Enantiomers

A voltammetric sensor was developed based on a glassy carbon electrode with aluminophosphate zeolite finely dispersed on its surface, modified with a polyelectrolyte complex of chitosan with succinyl chitosan and betulinic acid, for the selective detection and determination of naproxen enantiomers. The electrochemical and analytical characteristics of the sensor were studied, and the effective electrode surface area (A = 9.8 ± 0.5 mm2) and charge transfer resistance (Ret = 649.9 ± 0.4 Ω) were calculated. In determining naproxen enantiomers, calibration characteristics are linear in the range from 2.5 × 10–5 to 1 × 10–3 M with limits of detection of 1.1 × 10–7 and 1.5 × 10–7 M and limits of quantification of 3.6 × 10–7 and 4.9 × 10–7 M for R- and S-naproxen, respectively. The sensor is more sensitive to R-naproxen (∆Ep = 60 mV, ipR/ipS = 1.40). The proposed sensor was used to recognize and determine naproxen enantiomers in human urine and plasma samples. Statistical evaluation of the results by the standard addition method showed that there was no systematic error.

Molybdate and Phosphate Cross-Linked Chitosan Films for Corrosion Protection of Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel.

Environmentally friendly and sustainable methods to protect hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel from corrosion are extensively studied. Films of the biopolymer polyelectrolyte chitosan were ionically cross-linked in this work with the well-known corrosion inhibitors phosphate and molybdate. Layers on this basis are presented as components in a protective system and could, e.g., be applied in pretreatments similar to a conversion coating. For the preparation of the chitosan-based films, a procedure involving sol-gel chemistry and wet-wet application was utilized. Homogeneous films of few micrometers thickness were obtained on HDG steel substrates after thermal curing. Properties of chitosan-molybdate and chitosan-phosphate films were compared with purely passive epoxysilane-cross-linked chitosan, and pure chitosan. Delamination behavior of a poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) weak model top coating studied by scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) showed an almost linear time dependence over >10 h on all systems. Delamination rates were 0.28 mm h-1 (chitosan-molybdate) and 0.19 mm h-1 (chitosan-phosphate), ca. 5% of a non-cross-linked chitosan reference and slightly higher than of the epoxsyilane cross-linked chitosan. Immersion of the treated zinc samples over 40 h in 5% NaCl solution yielded a 5-fold increase of the resistance in the chitosan-molybdate system, as evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Ion exchange of electrolyte anions with molybdate and phosphate triggers corrosion inhibition, presumably by reaction with the HDG surface as well described in the literature for these inhibitors. Thus, such surface treatments have potential for application, e.g., in temporary corrosion protection.

Biodegradable Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Pectin for Cisplatin Delivery

Preparation of stable hydrogels using physically (electrostatically) interacting charge-complementary polyelectrolyte chains seems to be more attractive from a practical point of view than the use of organic crosslinking agents. In this work natural polyelectrolytes-chitosan and pectin-were used, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The biodegradability of hydrogels is confirmed by experiments with hyaluronidase as an enzyme. It has been shown that the use of pectins with different molecular weights makes it possible to prepare hydrogels with different rheological characteristics and swelling kinetics. These polyelectrolyte hydrogels loaded with cytostatic cisplatin as a model drug provide an opportunity for its prolonged release, which is important for therapy. The drug release is regulated to a certain extent by the choice of hydrogel composition. The developed systems can potentially improve the effects of cancer treatment due to the prolonged release of cytostatic cisplatin.

Membran Elektrolit Polimer Kitosan-Polyvinil Alkohol pada Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy directly through reactions. The use of acidic polymers (chitosan) and basic polymers (PVA) aims to reduce costs, flexible design, offers easy and synergistic effect of new composite membranes, and facilitates transport mechanism through Grotthuss membranes. Factors that affect membrane fabrication in this study are variations in polymer concentration and time. In this study, the ion exchange capacity, methanol permeability, water and methanol absorption, and membrane moisture content were tested. From the test results, the resulting membrane has a lower methanol permeability value of 3.9x10-7 cm2/second than the Nafon 117 membrane which is 26.9x10-7 cm2/second, and the maximum IEC obtained is 1.07 meq./g. The polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan polyelectrolyte membranes exhibited lower dehydration characteristics compared to Nafon, which had the remarkable disadvantage of higher temperatures (above 80°C) leading to long-term conductivity of the membranes. Polyelectrolyte membranes of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan have the lowest water content of 8.5% because of the air content trapped by polymer functional groups.