ABSTRACT
Chitosan, obtained from chitin (poly-β-(1-4)-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine) through deacetylation using strong aqueous alkali solution, is a versatile form of polysaccharide. It has a specic structure and various biological properties, such as immunological activity and antibacterial or wound-healing property (Nishimura et al., 1991; Kurita et al., 2002; Sashiwa et al., 2002). Moreover, it is a nontoxic and biodegradable polymer (Prabaharan, 2008). Because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and avirulence, chitosan has been used in many areas, such as in biomedical and agricultural elds. Chemical modication of chitosan so as to impart advantageous properties has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. Chitosan grafted with vinyl monomers using various types of initiators has been developed as promising materials for biomedical and industrial applications (Liu et al., 2007; Zhang et al., 2007). Despite the many graft copolymers of chitosan that have been
7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 151 7.2 Grafting of Acrylic Monomers onto Chitosan ...................................................................... 152
7.2.1 Methyl Methacrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer ................................................... 152 7.2.2 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer ...................................... 152 7.2.3 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)Propyl Methacrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer ..................... 155 7.2.4 (N,N-Dimethylamino)Ethyl Methacrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer ................... 156 7.2.5 Methyl Acrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer ........................................................... 156 7.2.6 Butyl Acrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer .............................................................. 160 7.2.7 Sodium Acrylate-Chitosan Graft Copolymer .......................................................... 161
7.3 Applications .......................................................................................................................... 161 7.3.1 Drug Delivery ........................................................................................................... 161 7.3.2 Wound Healing ......................................................................................................... 162 7.3.3 Seed Coatings ........................................................................................................... 163 7.3.4 Absorbents ................................................................................................................ 163 7.3.5 Finishing Agents ....................................................................................................... 164
7.4 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 164 References ...................................................................................................................................... 165
synthesized, the grafting of acrylic monomers, industrially important monomers, onto chitosan has received much importance for biomedical, industrial, and agricultural applications. The chemical combination of chitosan and acrylic-based polymer is a promising method for the preparation of new materials. Owing to the improved physical and chemical properties, these new materials would have potential and multiple applications in various elds.
