HIGHLY CROSS-LINKED CHITOSAN GELS

Chitosan was crosslinked to varying extents with bis(vinylsulfonyl)are nes as crosslinking agents in homogeneous solution. The effect of reac tion conditions on the onset of gelation was investigated. The rate of gelation was shown to depend on the chitosan concentration and the st ructure of the crosslinking agent used. The degree of crosslinking and content of the remaining pendant double bonds were evaluated. The obt ained chitosan gels swell both in organic solvents and in acidic aqueo us solutions.