Effect of Chitosan Concentration on the Rheological Properties of Acetic and Lactic Acid Solutions

Abstract

Chitosan (Ch) is a biodegradable cationic polymer, with industrial interest. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of Ch concentration (1–3%), on the rheological properties of acetic (A1–A3) and lactic (L1–L3) acid solutions. Flow curves (up-down) at 20 °C, provided the consistency (κ) and the flow index (n). In all solutions, κ increased and n decreased with Ch concentration. For L3, greater κ value and lower n exponent indicate stronger shear thinning response. The structural-breaking rate (vup), and the regeneration rate (vdown) were proposed as a measurement of the time dimension in the shear thinning response.