Synthesis and thermo-physical properties of chitosan/poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) composites prepared by thermally induced phase separation

Chitosan and poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (dlPLG) were used to fabricate biodegradable porous scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique. Parameters such as polymer concentration, quenching temperature, solvent ratio and different compositions were analyzed. Aqueous glacial acetic acid solution was used as a solvent for chitosan and chloroform for the lactide part. Through the use of a field emission scanning electron microscopy, the variation in porous morphology was studied. The cumulative results obtained from IR and X-ray diffraction spectra, TGA, DSC and DMA suggest that there is a chemical interaction between the components of the composite.