Continuum of structural organization from chitosan solutions to derived physical forms.

The structural organization of chitosan, a cationic polyelectrolyte, in aqueous solutions of high ionic strength, is investigated by quasi-elastic light scattering and wet scanning transmission electron microscopy. The formation of submicrometric chain aggregates driven by hydrophobic interactions is evidenced. These heterogeneities are at the core of the multiscale morphology of physical hydrogels processed from this polysaccharide. Therefore, a close structural relationship exists between the initial solution and the final hydrogel.