Synthesis and Characterization of Material Derived from Chitosan, Malic acid and Urea

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis of chitosan-based material (CHMAUR) of different forms (foam, porous and non-porous tough gels, porous dry) through crosslinking, facilitated by using urea in the presence of malic acid as the organic acid, is explored. The new material is characterized extensively using FT IR spectroscopy, CP MAS solid state NMR spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The porosity of the material is determined using helium gas pycnometry, ethanol displacement method while its morphology is examined using scanning electron microscopy. The new material absorbs water to the extent of 5000 to 8000% which in turn arises partly from the porosity and partly from the ionic crosslinks. In the foam form CHMAUR is found to be suitable for smaller compressive loads. In the porous dry form, CHMAUR is observed to support compressive load of up to 15 MPa, with the ability to be machined using conventional tools.