Continuum of Structural Organization from Chitosan Solutions to Derived Physical Forms
Résumé
The structural organization of chitosan, a cationic polyelectrolyte, in aqueous solutions of high ionic strength, is investigated by quasi-elastic light scattering and wet scanning transmission electron microscopy. The formation of submicrometric chain aggregatres driven by hydrophobic interactions is evidenced. These heterogeneities are the core of the multiscale morphology of physical hydrogels processes from this polysaccharide. Therefore, a close structural relationship exists between the initial solution and the final hydrogel