[1PS-083]
우수논문발표상 응모자Understanding the molecular mechanism of chitosan in aqueous solution
발표자권하은 (울산과학기술원)
연구책임자이동욱 (울산과학기술원)
Abstract
Chitosan is an abundant, biodegradable polysaccharide widely used in pharmaceutical and environmental applications. To better understand its interactions in aqueous systems, we investigated the adhesion of high molecular weight chitosan (>150 kDa) to four types of functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at pH 3.0, 6.5, and 8.5 using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). High molecular weight chitosan exhibited the strongest adhesion to methyl-terminated SAMs (CH₃–SAMs) under all pH conditions, suggesting a potential for strong hydrophobic interactions with materials containing hydrophobic moieties. Although hydrogen bonding is typically regarded as the dominant interaction mechanism of chitosan, our findings provide new insights that may broaden its applicability in designing eco-friendly, chitosan-based functional materials.