Chitosan-dextran branched copolymers: Synthesis and properties

Chitosan-dextran branched copolymers have been synthesized, and the rheological properties of their aqueous acetic acid solutions have been studied. On the basis of the data of FTIR spectroscopy, the formation of chemical bonds between chitosan and dextran at the nitrogen atom has been confirmed. With the use of dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, the temperatures of relaxation transitions in the resulting branched copolymers have been determined. It is shown that, along with the formation of a branched copolymer, the chemical crosslinking of chitosan macrochains can occur. Mechanical properties of films formed from solutions of the obtained polymers have been studied.