Studies on chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) interpolymer complex. I. Preparation, structure, pH-sensitivity, and salt sensitivity of complex-forming poly(acrylic acid): Chitosan semi-interpenetrating polymer network

A novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) membrane composed of crosslinked chitosan(cr-CS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was prepared. Evidence from infrared spectra proved the formation of polyelectrolyte complex through electrostatic interaction between groups from CS and COO− groups from PAA. The semi-IPN membrane swelled at high pH and at low pH exhibited a typical pH-sensitivity. Its swelling degrees in different salt solutions with the same ionic valence and equal ionic strength were on similar levels. Under certain ionic strength (I = 1.5 mol/L), the degree of swelling increased with increased metal ionic valence. Furthermore, the elongation of the semi-IPN membrane could vary reversibly by immersion into CaCl2 solution and KCl solution alternately. Reasons for the chemomechanical behavior are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1445–1450, 1997