Effect of polymer-precursor molecular mass on the formation and properties of covalently crosslinked chitosan cryogels

Features of cryotropic gelation in moderately frozen solutions of chitosan samples that have various molecular masses and that are covalently crosslinked with glutaraldehyde are studied. It is shown that the chain length of the macromolecular precursor, chitosan, affects the yield of the gel fraction; the swelling ability of the polymer phase of wide-pore cryogels; the dimensions of the gross capillary pores of cryogels; and, as a consequence, the hydrodynamic parameters of columns packed with a permeable continuous matrix based on the spongy gel material. The characteristics of the latter depend in a sophisticated manner on the molecular mass of the polymer used for formation of cryogels, a circumstance that is associated with competition of differently directed factors, specifically cryoconcentration effects, a strong increase in the viscosity of the reaction medium in the unfrozen liquid microphase, kinetic features of chain crosslinking at a high concentration of reagents, etc. Therefore, in each particular case, individual conditions for specific combination of the above-mentioned parameters of the process arise. As a result, a complex dependence corresponding is observed for the efficiency of cryostructuring of the chitosan-glutaraldehyde system and for the properties of the resulting cryogels.     

Synthesis and reactivity of aromatic aldehyde functions based on crosslinked polystyrene

Crosslinked polystyrene-containing chloromethyl groups were transformed into an aldehyde-containing arylether polymer by an one-step reaction with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Further modification of the aldehydic derivative of polystyrene by reaction with hydroxylamine proved the chemical availability of the polymer-bound aldehyde functions and also good conversions for the product. In contrast, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine did not react under comparable conditions but after swelling in dioxan. It could be shown that swelling is a prerequisite for this reaction. The aldehyde function of the polymer was oxidized to the carboxylic acid using crown ether-solubilized potassium permanganate. The carboxylic acid was converted to the carboxylic acid chloride by reaction with thionyl chloride. Finally, kinetic aspects of the reaction of chloromethyl polystyrene and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde have been investigated and discussed.     

Rapid swelling and deswelling in cryogels of crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic)

Thermally sensitive hydrogels of poly[N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA)-co-acrylic(AA)] hydrogels with N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (BIS) as crosslinker have been synthesised via a two-step procedure in which, the initial polymerisation is conducted for various times at 18 °C, this step being followed by polymerisation for one fixed time at −22 °C. The gravimetrically determined rates of swelling/deswelling for these materials termed “cryogels” prepared by this two-step polymerisation are much higher than those for the same type of hydrogel prepared via conventional methods (30 °C for 24 h). For example the time for the former xerogel to take up 70% of its final water content at 25 °C is just 18 min, compared with a time 300 min for the latter to attain the same uptake of water. During deswelling (shrinking) at 50 °C, which is above the lower critical temperature, the hydrogel loses 60 and 90 wt.% water in 1 and 10 min respectively, compared to a timescale for the corresponding crosslinked copolymers prepared by conventional methods of about 100 min for 50 wt.% water loss. A third type of hydrogel was made by a cold treatment (CT), for which the hydrogel prepared by conventional polymerisation was stored in the frozen state. The swelling rate of these CT xerogels was the same as that for xerogels prepared by conventional polymerisation, but the deswelling rate of the former was higher than that of the latter; for example, during deswelling, a loss of 90% water is attained within a few minutes.Scanning electron microscopy, digital photographs and flotation experiments together with swelling ratio studies reveal that the polymeric network of cryogel produced by the two-step polymerisation method is characterised by an open structure with more pores and higher swelling ratio but lower mechanical strength compared to the conventional hydrogels. The polymerisation was taking place on moderate freezing condition and the hydrogel was stored in a frozen state and subsequent thawing of polymer to be very useful the acceleration the response rate of this kind hydrogels. Such rapid response hydrogels have potential applications in separation and drug release technologies for example.     

三乙烯四胺修饰交联壳聚糖树脂的制备及其对痕量镉的吸附性能研究

以戊二醛、环氧氯丙烷为交联剂,用三乙烯四胺改性,由壳聚糖合成了一种新型的三乙烯四胺修饰交联壳聚糖微球(CRN)分离树脂,研究了不同条件下CRN对Cd2+的吸附性能。在pH6.0时,CRN能定量吸附溶液中的痕量Cd2+,其静态饱和吸附容量为31.0 mg/g。吸附在CRN上的Cd2+可用0.5 mol/L的H2SO4洗脱,用火焰原子吸收法测定洗脱液中Cd2+的含量。本法对Cd2+的检出限(3σ)为24.6 ng/mL,相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.1%(n=11,c=1.0μg/mL),加标回收率在97.3%～104.0%。该方法可用于矿渣中痕量镉的测定。     

The synthesis of crosslinked copolymers of maleilated chitosan and acrylamide

By acylating chitosan with maleic anhydride in formamide medium trisubstituted products (on one amine and two hydroxyl groups of the saccharide unit) have been obtained, as has been confirmed by IR spectroscopy, titration carboxylic groups, and determination of the content of olefin bonds. By copolymerizing trisubstituted maleilated chitosan and acrylamide in water solution crosslinked polymers have been obtained. Their swelling in water decreases with an increase in the share of maleilated chitosan in the initial mixture of reagents and with a decrease in dilution of the initial mixture of reaction components. Consumption of maleilated chitosan double bonds in this case varies from 40 to 70%.     

Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked chitosan formed by γ irradiation in the presence of carbontetrachloride as a sensitizer

Synthesis of crosslinked chitosan using γ irradiation in the presence of carbon tetrachloride as a sensitizer is carried out. The resultant crosslinked product, which is yellow in color, is characterized by elemental analysis, which shows the presence of chlorine. Crosslinked chitosan on hydrolysis with alkali results in the formation of another product that retains the crosslinked structure but does not have chlorine in it. Gel formatting characteristics of both these products have been studied. The crosslinked chitosan and its hydrolysis product are further characterized by various physical methods such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and thermogravimetry. Based on the results, a probable mechanism of crosslinking whereby chitosan chains are crosslinked by a >CCl₂ group is suggested. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3897–3909, 2004     

Adsorption properties of the double-imprinted electrospun crosslinked chitosan nanofibers

Pb(II)-Cd(II) double-imprinted electrospun crosslinked chitosan nanofibers (Pd/Cd-DIECCNs) were prepared by combining electrospinning and ion-imprinting methods, which showed excellent adsorption capacity for both Pb(II) and Cd(II).     

Synthesis of leaf aldehyde

The comparative oxidation of trans-hex-2-enol to leaf aldehyde has been effected with the aid of manganese dioxide, chromium oxide, and sodium dichromate in DMSO. It has been established that sodium dichromate in DMSO gives the best yield (not less than 80%) and a product of higher purity. It is a comparatively new reagent in organic synthesis. The use of sodium dichromate in DMSO is promising in the preparation of compounds requiring the use of mild conditions.Tartu State University. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 298–300, May–June, 1977.     

Rapid swelling and deswelling in cryogels of crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)

Thermally sensitive hydrogels of poly[N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA)-co-acrylic acid (AA)] hydrogels with N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (BIS) as crosslinker have been synthesized via a two-step procedure in which, the initial polymerisation is conducted for various times at 18 °C, this step being followed by polymerisation for one fixed time at −22 °C. The gravimetrically determined rates of swelling/deswelling for these materials termed “cryogels” prepared by this two-step polymerisation are much higher than those for the same type of hydrogel prepared via conventional methods (30 °C for 24 h). For example the time for the former xerogel to take up 70% of its final water content at 25 °C is just 18 min, compared with a time 300 min for the latter to attain the same uptake of water. During deswelling (shrinking) at 50 °C, which is above the lower critical temperature, the hydrogel loses 60 and 90 wt% water in 1 and 10 min respectively, compared to a timescale for the corresponding crosslinked copolymers prepared by conventional methods of about 100 min for 50 wt% water loss. A third type of hydrogel was made by a cold treatment (CT), for which the hydrogel prepared by conventional polymerization was stored in the frozen state. The swelling rate of these CT xerogels was the same as that for xerogels prepared by conventional polymerization, but the deswelling rate of the former was higher than that of the latter; for example, during deswelling, a loss of 90% water is attained within a few minutes.Scanning electron microscopy, digital photographs and flotation experiments together with swelling ratio studies reveal that the polymeric network of cryogel produced by the two-step polymerization method is characterized by an open structure with more pores and higher swelling ratio but lower mechanical strength compared to the conventional hydrogels. Such rapid response hydrogels have potential applications in separation and drug release technologies for example.     

Preparation of agarose/chitosan composite supermacroporous monolithic cryogels for affinity purification of glycoproteins

Supermacroporous agarose/chitosan composite monolithic (AC CM) cryogels were prepared for affinity purification of the major egg white glycoproteins, ovalbumin (OVA), and ovotransferrin (OVT). The supermacroporous AC CM cryogels were produced by cryocopolymerization of agarose/chitosan blend solutions using glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker. The 3-aminophenlyboronic acid ligand was immobilized by covalent binding to epoxy-group-coupled supermacroporous AC CM cryogels. The microstructure morphologies of these cryogels were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The supermacroporous AC CM cryogels contained a continuous interpenetrating polymer network matrix with interconnected pores of 10-100 μm in size. The composite cryogels offered high mechanical stability and had specific recognition for glycoproteins. The maximum binding capacity of OVA adsorption from aqueous solutions was 55.6 mg/g. The matrix could be reused 11 times without significant loss in OVA adsorption capacity. The recovery yields of OVA and OVT from egg white were estimated to be 89 and 93%, respectively.     

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Composite Membranes Crosslinked by Carboxyl-capped Poly（ethylene glycol）

In this study a series of chemically crosslinked chitosan/poly（ethylene glycol） （CS/PEG） composite membranes were prepared with PEG as a crosslinking reagent other than an additional blend. First, carboxyl-eapped poly（ethylene glycol） （HOOC-PEG-COOH） was synthesized. Dense CS/PEG composite membranes were then prepared by casting/evaporation of CS and HOOC-PEG-COOH mixture in acetic acid solution. Chitosan was chemically crosslinked due to the amidation between the carboxyl in HOOC-PEG-COOH and the amino in chitosan under heating, as confirmed by FTIR analysis. The hydrophilicity, water-resistance and mechanical properties of pure and crosslinked chitosan membranes were characterized, respectively. The results of water contact angle and water absorption showed that the hydrophilicity of chitosan membranes could be significantly improved, while no significant difference of weight loss between pure chitosan membranes and crosslinked ones was detected, indicating that composite membranes with amidation crosslinking possess excellent water resistanance ability. Moreover, the tensile strength of chitosan membranes could be significantly enhanced with the addition of certain amount of HOOC-PEG-COOH crosslinker, while the elongation at break didn＇t degrade at the same time. Additionally, the results of swelling behaviors in water at different pH suggested that the composite membranes were pH sensitive.     

Synthesis of siloxane‐crosslinked polysilylenemethylenes by chlorodephenylation

Thermally stable polysilylenemethylenes (PSMs) with siloxane crosslinking moieties were successfully synthesized by chlorodephenylation of preformed poly(methylphenylsilylenemethylene) (PMPSM) and subsequent in situ alcoholysis/hydrolysis/condensation reactions. The simplified process and mild reaction conditions are quite advantageous. The crosslink density of these materials can be adjusted by the degree of chlorodephenylation, although an alkoxysilyl group remains to some extent. The resulting crosslinked PSMs have well defined structures in which the backbone is composed of MePhSiCH₂ and Me(MeO)SiCH₂ as well as Me(O_1/2)SiCH₂ as a crosslinking moiety. The resulting crosslinked PSMs exhibited glass‐transition temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 °C, whereas that of linear PMPSM was 22 °C. The crosslinked PSMs remained unchanged in weight below 300 °C, suggesting that they are thermally stable up to that temperature. The good solvent resistance caused by crosslinking as well as high thermal stability of these materials allow us to design new PSM‐based polymer blends and preceramic polymers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 416–422, 2002     

A novel preconcentration technique using crosslinked chitosan for the determination of mercury by CVAAS

A novel crosslinked chitosan (CCTS) has been synthesized by the reaction of water-soluble chitosan with epoxy chloropropane. In the presence of the chelating EDTA and in the pH range between 4–10, CCTS selectively adsorbed trace inorganic Hg in water samples with enrichment factors of 100. Inorganic Hg could be directly reduced using KBH₄ without preceding elution and determined by CVAAS. Accordingly, the total mercury could be determined after all species of mercury in water samples were transformed into Hg²⁺. The detection limit (3σ) for mercury was 12 ng L^–1 and the relative standard deviation less than 5% at the 50 ng L^–1 level. Beer’s law was obeyed over the range 30–400 ng L^–1 of mercury and the preconcentration method was applied to environmental water samples with the recoveries between 92–96%.     

Dialdehyde starch‐crosslinked chitosan films and their antimicrobial effects

For improved mechanical and water‐swelling properties of chitosan films, a series of transparent films were prepared with dialdehyde starch as a crosslinking agent. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray analysis results demonstrated that the formation of Schiff's base disturbed the crystallization of chitosan. The mechanical properties and water‐swelling properties of the films were significantly improved. The best values of the tensile strength and breaking elongation were 113.1 MPa and 27.0%, respectively, when the dialdehyde starch content was 5%. All the crosslinked films still retained obvious antimicrobial effects toward S. aureus and E. coli, and they showed potential for biomedical applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 993–997, 2003     

交联壳聚糖分离富集-火焰原子吸收法测定水样中痕量银

以甲醛、环硫氯丙烷为交联剂,由壳聚糖合成了一种新型的交联壳聚糖微球(FCCIS)分离树脂,研究了不同条件下FCCTS对Ag(Ⅰ)的吸附性能.在pH 3.6时FCCTS对Ag(Ⅰ)定量吸附,吸附在树脂上的Ag(Ⅰ)可用0.5 moL/L的氨水将其洗脱,用火焰原子吸收光谱测定.该法对Ag(Ⅰ)的检出限为61 ng/mL(3σ,n=8),相对标准偏差为2.2%(n=7,ρ=2μg/mL),线性范围为0.05～4μg/mL,加标回收率在98.8%～101.7%之间.该法已用于水样中痕量银测定.     

Structure characterizations and protein resistance of chitosan membranes selectively crosslinked by poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate

Chitosan (CS) is a fragile material with a high modulus of elasticity. Improving its flexibility as well as membrane permeability are the key aspects that need to be addressed for using CS as a biomaterial. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has several unique properties such as protein resistance, low toxicity, immunogenicity, and good solubility in both water and organic solvents. In this study, a vinyl compound was grafted to the C-6 position of CS by protection-grafting-deprotection. The vinyl CS was then crosslinked with PEG dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) selectively at its C-6 position to form CS-g-PEG copolymer membranes. Analyses from spectra of Fourier-transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the chemical structure of the crosslinking CS-g-PEG copolymer membranes. Thermal and mechanical properties of the prepared CS-g-PEG membranes were measured and well-correlated to their structures. The incorporation of PEGDMA into the CS increased the material’s flexibility and thermal resistance. Finally, the CS-g-PEG membranes were found to have good protein resistance and blood compatibility; therefore, it has potential application as the biomedical material especially for hemodialysis.