Preparation, characterization and adhesive properties of di- and tri-hydroxy benzoyl chitosan nanoparticles

Modified chitosans with 3,4-di-hydroxy benzoyl groups (CS-DHBA) and 3,4,5-tri-hydroxy benzoyl groups (CSTHBA) were synthesized and their nanoparticles were prepared via ionic crosslinking by tripolyphosphate (TPP). The chemical structure and degree of substitution (DS) of di- and tri-hydroxy benzoyl chitosans are determined by FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The morphology of particles, size distribution and zeta potential of nanoparticles were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. The mean diameters of particles of CS-DHBA and CS-THBA nanoparticles were 144 nm and 112 nm, respectively. It was found that the particles size decreased slightly with decreasing the degree of substitution and increasing degree of deacetylation (DD), due to increasing of ionic crosslinking of ammonium ions and polyanions of tripolyphosphate. The TEM photographs of CS-DHBA show that these particles are spherical in shape, but the particles of CS-THBA show some aggregation. In addition, the solubility and the mechanical properties of the prepared modified chitosans and their nanoparticles were evaluated for bio-adhesive and biomedical application. The results of solubility tests indicated that, the CS-DHBA and CS-THBA have higher solubility at pH > 7 comparing to CS. Also the CS-DHBA, CS-THBA and their nanoparticles showed a significant adhesive capacity and enhanced tensile strength and tensile modulus.