Study of rheological properties of dilute and moderately concentrated solutions of chitosan

Abstract A study was made of the variation of rheological properties of chitosan solutions, according to the concentration of the polymer, the composition and type of solvent, the presence of various low-molecular weight additives (electrolyte, urea, etc.). It was noted that some rheological properties of chitosan solutions in the concentration range studied depend on its polyelectrolyte nature. It was shown that the viscosity variation of chitosan solutions on keeping them over a period of time is not due to the rupture of glycoside bonds of the polymer. It was found that chitosan solutions have the highest stability over a period of time in salt media also containing a hydrogen bond acceptor.