Composition, preparation, and use of dense chitosan membrane materials
A composition of exceptionally dense chitosan and a novel method for producing the dense chitosan structure have been described. The novel production method employs coincident compression and vacuum on a neutralized chitosan polymer that results in an exceptionally dense chitosan film or membrane material. The dense chitosan film or membrane composition possesses multiple physical and clinically appealing qualities for a variety of medical applications on or in animals, mammals, or humans.
1. A method of producing a chitosan composition with a density greater than 0.6 g/cm3 comprising in sequence:
a) providing an acidic solution of water and chitosan;
b) neutralizing said solution to form a polymerized gel; and
c) simultaneously dehydrating and compressing the gel;
further comprising freezing said acidic solution prior to neutralizing step (b).
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising washing said gel in water or a buffered aqueous solution prior to dehydrating step (c).
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising washing said gel in water or a buffered solution to a pH of from 5.5 to 7.5 prior to dehydrating step (c).