Preparation and properties of an amphiphilic derivative of succinyl-chitosan

A new kind of amphiphilic derivatives of chitosan, (2-hydroxypropyl-3-butoxy) propyl-succinyl-chitosan (HBP-SCCHS) were synthesized by chemical modification of chitosan. The chemical structures of the chitosan derivatives were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. The surface and aggregate properties were studied by means of surface tension and fluorescence measurements. Results showed that HBP-SCCHS can concentrate on the surface to decrease the surface tension and can associate with hydrophobic chains to form aggregates in the solution. The abilities to decrease the surface tension and to form aggregates were promoted by increasing the DS of hydrophobic group and addition of salt.