The influence of the type solvent on the structure of chitosan blends with hyaluronic acid

The influence of the type solvent on the structure of chitosan, hyaluronic acid and their blend films was investigated. Aqueous acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride and aqueous acetic acid/NaCl were used as solvents for chitosan, hyaluronic acid and Ch/HA solution blends. Ch, HA and their blend films were prepared by casting technique. The homogeneity and morphology of chitosan blends were ascertained from the tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The changes of topography images are considered by determining the root mean square (RMS, Rq) deviation in the image data. The surface roughness of chitosan, hyaluronic acid and Ch/HA blended films was altered by mixing. The structure of chitosan blends with hyaluronic acid depends on the blend composition and on the solvent used for preparing the blend.