Study of the depolymerization behavior of chitosan by hydrogen peroxide

The IR and H-1 NMR study verify the breakage of 1,4-beta-D-glucoside bonds of chitosan leads to the depolymerization. X-ray quantitative analysis shows the crystallinity degree of chitosan was changed in the depolymerization. In crystal region the chitosan is depolymerized by peeling-off process while the amorphous portion is depolymerized by penetrating pattern. Moreover, the depolymerization rate of chitosan depends on the deacetylation degree of chitosan, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the reaction temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.