Self‐assembly of N‐carboxyethylchitosan near the isoelectric point

摘要: For the first time possibility to obtain nanostructures by self-assembly of chitosan polyampholytic derivative was demonstrated. The N-carboxyethylchitosan (CECh) took place only near its isoelectric point (pH 5.0–5.6). Out pH range 5.0–5.6, CECh aqueous solutions behaved as real solutions. Dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that spherically shaped or rod/worm-like nanosized assemblies were formed depending on polymer molar mass, value, concentration. two different masses studied in concentrations ranging from 0.01 0.1 mg/mL. structures weight-average mass (Mw) 4.5 × 103 g/mol spherical regardless In contrast, high (HMMCECh, Mw = 6.7 105 g/mol) self-assemblies with shape at 5.0 5.6. At 5.2 nanoparticles obtained concentration mean hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) 30 980 nm. On increasing concentration, aggregation appeared, HMMCECh mg/mL, obtained. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Chem 46: 6712–6721,