Chitosan and modified chitosan membranes I. Preparation and characterisation

Abstract

Chitosan has been prepared from prawn shell and crab shell chitin. The molecular weight of the material derived from prawn shells is higher than that obtained from crab shell. The molecular weight, tensile strength, elongation at the break, and hydrophilic properties of chitosan are extremely dependent on the degree of deacetylation achieved when chitin is hydrolyzed to chitosan. Graft copolymers have been prepared with chitosan and a series of vinyl monomers using both heterogeneous and homogeneous reaction conditions. The hydrophilic properties of chitosan can be modified by blending with poly(vinyl alcohol). Copyright © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.