Chitosans: Thermochemical Study

The physical and phase transitions of a series of chitosans differing in molecular weight and deacetylation degree have been revealed by means of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and mass spectrometry. The temperature ranges corresponding to the dehydration and thermolysis of the considered polymers have been determined. The devitrification temperature of the polymers has been recorded, and its two-parametric regression on the chitosans molecular weight and deacetylation degree has been found. The molecular weight of the polymer revealed stronger effect on the devitrification temperature in comparison with the deacetylation degree.