Effect of Ultrasonication Technique in the Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan Nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNs) are prepared via ionic gelation of tripolyphosphate (TPP) and chitosan. Operational conditions such as ultrasonication have great effects on physicochemical characteristics of CNs. Thus, in this study the effects of ultrasonication on mean particle size, particle size distribution and morphology of CNs have been investigated by laser light scattering (LLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is observed that constant power amplitude and increasing sonication time result in changes in mean particle size and particle size distribution. When the sonication time extends from 0 to 20 minutes, the mean particle size and particle size distribution of CNs significantly increases. CNs with mean particle size of 212nm by LLS and 97 nm by SEM are obtained in the batch prepared without using ultrasonication technique. Thus, this study confirms process parameters and base materials properties affect dispersion of the nanoparticles and this operational condition isn’t acceptable approach to disperse CNs into the base material.

Keywords:

chitosan nanoparticles , tripolyphosphate , ultrasonication technique