Chitosan/chondroitin sulfate aerogels with high polymeric electroneutralization degree: formation and mechanical properties

Abstract

The formation of ultralight, highly porous solid materials (porosity higher than 99 %) containing equivalent molar amounts of chitosan (CS) and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) is presented. First, we show protocols to produce colloidal suspensions of assembled polymer nanocomplexes by simultaneously mixing equimolar amounts of the oppositely charged polysaccharides, preventing macroprecipitation. The colloidal suspensions were then freeze-dried to form the active aerogels. Apparent density in the order of 10(0)-10(1) mg/cm(3) was achieved. The materials show low stiffness (Young's modulus of about 2 kPa), which make them easy to handle for clinical applications, and easy to compress, pack, store and transport. These characteristics promote them as cheap, safe and biodegradable materials able to be used for several therapeutic purposes, such as wound healing.