Recent Advances in Graft Copolymerization and Applications of Chitosan: A Review

Abstract

Chitosan is among one of the most important and most studied natural polymers. The cationic nature of chitosan makes it a polymer of high importance from environmental and biomedical point of views among the other natural polysaccharides. However, it also suffers from a few disadvantages and requires further development to achieve the targeted results and desired range of efficiency. To overcome some of the disadvantages of the pristine chitosan, it is most imperative to functionalize it with suitable functional groups. Therefore, it is highly desired to understand the chemistry of the reactions used to alter the surface characteristics of chitosan. Among various techniques presently being used to tailor the surface characteristics of chitosan, graft copolymerization is of the utmost importance. The aim of the present perspective is to describe the recent advances in the graft copolymerization of chitosan with particular emphasis on atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). This perspective describes the synthesis, characterization, and multifunctional applications of different types of chitosan-based copolymers.

GH62 arabinofuranosidases: Structure, function and applications

“…Graft copolymers differ in properties, hence also in applications, which include drug deliverer systems, plastics, textiles and many more. Polysaccharide based graft copolymers can replace some chemically synthesized graft copolymers (Bond and Bolt, 1989;Gürdag and Sarmad, 2013;Meshram et al, 2009;Thakur and Thakur, 2014). A very recent study exploited SthAbf62A-m2,3 in combination with BaAbf43B-d3 to produce unsubstituted WAX, which increased the yield and influenced the viscoelastic properties of grafted xylans, which can be used as biobased coatings on cellulose (Littunen et al, 2017).…”

Thermal and mechanical properties of chitosan nanocomposites with cellulose modified in ionic liquids

“…It consists of N-acetyl glucosamine and D-glucosamine units which are a source of amine and hydroxyl groups. Such chitosan/nanometric cellulose composite merges the properties of chitosan (biodegradability, antibacterial properties, transparency, antimicrobial activity) and nanometric cellulose (high surface area, very good barrier, and mechanical properties) [29][30][31][32] resulting in obtainment of composite materials that can be successfully applied in packaging industry (film for food, paper coatings), in chemical industry (catalysts, adsorbents), and in biomedicine (carrier of active substances, filaments) [33][34][35][36]. Despite of these valuable advantages, there are also compelling problems hindering wider application of such chitosan-based composites.…”

Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2-Wrapped Cotton Nanofiber Composite Catalysts

“…With regard to these biopolymers, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), which is nanosized cellulose fiber, has a number of fascinating characteristics, such as containing a large number of active hydroxyl groups on its surface, environmentally friendly nature, low cost, nanoscale dimension, and unique optical properties and utilities (de Souza Lima et al 2004;Beck-Candanedo et al 2005;Klemm et al 2005;Foo et al 2006;Klemm et al 2006;Thakur and Thakur 2014;Thakur and Voicu 2016). Recently, to explore multifunctional nanocellulose hybrid composites, many different nanocellulose-inorganic hybrid composite materials have been prepared for applications in various fields.…”