Molecular interactions in collagen and chitosan blends.

Molecular interactions between collagen and chitosan (CC) have the potential to produce biocomposites with novel properties. We have characterised the molecular interactions in CC complexes by viscometry, wide angle X-ray scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that CC are miscible at the molecular level and exhibit interactions between the components; X-ray diffraction of CC blends indicate that the collagen helix structure is lost in CC films with increasing chitosan content. Non-linear viscometic behaviour with decreasing chitosan content is interpreted as evidence of a third structural phase formed as a complex of CC. The blending of collagen with chitosan gives the possibility of producing new bespoke materials for potential biomedical applications.