Molecular mobility of chitosan and its interaction with montmorillonite in composite films: Dielectric spectroscopy and FTIR studies

The interaction of chitosan in the basic form with montmorillonite at different concentrations in composite films is studied with the use of dielectric spectroscopy and FTIR measurements. It is shown that the interaction of amino groups and primary hydroxyl groups of chitosan with local charges on the surfaces of montmorillonite nanoparticles is responsible for a change in the system of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that is typical for polysaccharides. The glass-transition temperature of chitosan in the composite systems is measured.