Preparation and characterization of N-heterocyclic chitosan derivative based gels for biomedical applications

The novel N-heterocyclic chitosan aerogel derivatives were prepared by reacting 79% deacetylated chitosan separately with 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde followed by subsequent solvent exchange into acetone, filteration and lyophilization. The identity of the Schiff bases was confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The N-heterocyclic chitosan derivatives were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), theological studies and biological activity. Overall, the N-heterocyclic chitosan derivative based gels open new perspectives in biomedical applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.