Superadsorption of LiOH solution on chitosan as a new type of solvent for chitosan by freezing/blasting

The adsorption behavior and mechanism of chitosan in aqueous LiOH solution was studied systemically. The results showed that the adsorption of chitosan was mainly due to the breakage of its hydrogen bonds, which were destroyed by the reaction of LiOH with the acetyl and the hydroxyl groups of chitosan. Low temperature also played a crucial role in the adsorption of chitosan. The adsorption of chitosan decreased with increased DD. The adsorption ratio of LiOH to chitosan (nLiOH/nCS) increased linearly while the adsorption ratio of water to chitosan ( n H 2 O / n CS ) decreased with the increased DD. All chitosans reached their maximal swelling degree when the concentration of LiOH was 4.8 wt%. Chitosan was stable in LiOH aqueous solution. The LiOH solution may be a potential favorable solvent for chitosan.