Chitosan-silica hybrid porous membranes

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2014 Sep:42:553-61. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.05.073. Epub 2014 Jun 7.

Abstract

Chitosan-silica porous hybrids were prepared by a novel strategy in order to improve the mechanical properties of chitosan (CHT) in the hydrogel state. The inorganic silica phase was introduced by sol-gel reactions in acidic medium inside the pores of already prepared porous scaffolds. In order to make the scaffolds insoluble in acidic media chitosan was cross-linked by genipin (GEN) with an optimum GEN concentration of 3.2 wt.%. Sol-gel reactions took place with Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) acting as silica precursors. GPTMS served also as a coupling agent between the free amino groups of chitosan and the silica network. The morphology study of the composite revealed that the silica phase appears as a layer covering the chitosan membrane pore walls. The mechanical properties of the hybrids were characterized by means of compressive stress-strain measurements. By immersion in water the hybrids exhibit an increase in elastic modulus up to two orders of magnitude.

Keywords: Chitosan; Genipin; Hybrid; Mechanical properties; Scaffolds; Silica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Compressive Strength
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / chemistry
  • Iridoids
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Phase Transition
  • Porosity
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Iridoids
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Chitosan
  • genipin