Preparation and characterization of thermally crosslinked films based on chitosan and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxasoline)

Сrosslinked films based on chitosan (СHI) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (POZ) were prepared by thermal crosslinking. The optimal synthesis conditions and the composition of the film compositions were determined. The highest yield of the gel fraction was observed for CHI:POZ (80:20) films with a crosslinking time of 4 h at a temperature of 100°С. The main physicochemical properties of films based on pure CHI and CHI:POZ have been studied. The film swelling ability was reduced with the increase of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazolin) content. The formation of crosslinks between N,N’-methylene-bis-acrylamide and functional amine groups of chitosan was proposed based on IR-spectroscopy data.