Chitosan Cross-Linked Films for Drug Delivery Application

This work evaluated such a cross-linked chitosan based controlled release device to be later used for sustained drug release. Cross linking was required to control chitosan swelling/deswelling rate. Hexamethylene 1,6-Bis (aminocarboxysulfonate), a bisulfite blocked diisocyanate obtained by the reaction of 1,6 Hexamethylene Diisocyanate and Sodium bisulfite, was used as cross linking agent. Two films formulations were tested: 30 and 50% cross-linked, and they were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Chitosan cross-linked films were characterized for cross linkage by FTIR, for hydrophilicity by Contact Angle and for swelling behavior by Gravimetric method. Cross linking reaction was confirmed by FTIR. Moreover, cross linking increased the hydrophilic character of cross-linked films and suppressed swelling. However, 30% cross-linked film swollen less than the 50% one, while 50% cross-linked film swollen less than chitosan film itself. This behavior was attributed to the hydrophilic character of the cross linking agent and to the polymeric network formation by cross linking.