Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Materials in Multiple Phases : From Fundamentals to Biomedical, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Applications

Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Materials in Multiple Phases: From Fundamentals to Biomedical, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Applications provides a comprehensive overview of structure diversity and versatile properties of chitosan while also summarizing the latest advancements and current applications of chitosan-based materials that are suitable for various purposes within pharmaceutics, biomedicine, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences. The book explores the complex nature between chitosan structure and its biological activity and describes strategies of polymer modification in order to tailor its physicochemical and mechanical properties. The utilization potential of chitosan for the fabrication of functional biomaterials in either liquid, semi-solid, or solid-state different phases (aqueous mixtures, hydrogels, solid films) is also covered. Finally, the key factors important to obtain chitosan materials suitable for biomedical applications and the characteristics of hybrid materials formed by chitosan and other components, including surfactants, polyelectrolytes, inorganic nanoparticles, are discussed.