Dynamic Rheological Properties of Concentrated Chitosan Soltions

A detailed analysis of the dynamic flow properties of chitosan in solution at different temperatures (25 - 45°C), chitosan concentration (0.5% - 2.0%), solvent type (acetic, lactic, and hydrochloric acid), and ionic strength (0 and 0.2M NaCl) has been undertaken. The storage modulus, G’, loss modulus, G’’ and complex viscosity, η* have been determined over a wide range of frequencies and the results are presented using master curves. For the conditions studied, at low frequencies chitosan solutions show a constant complex viscosity which decreases as frequency increases. Likewise, storage modulus, G’ and loss modulus, G’’ increase as frequency increases with G’’ being always greater than G’ (η’ > η’’) indicating that viscous effects are more important than elastic effects. For modelling the oscillatory-shear results we used the generalized Maxwell model. Two empirical equations were used to correlate the data: Cox-Merz rule for viscosity and Laun's rule for primary normal stress difference. Both relations were found to represent our data for the experimental conditions studied.