Chitosan-Polyphosphate Complexation for Fabrication of Advanced Functional Biomaterials

Abstract

This thesis investigates the complexation between Chitosan (CS) and Polyphosphate (PP) for advanced biomedical applications, including drug delivery and hemostasis. It highlights the previously overlooked effect of PP chain length, along with the influence of polyelectrolyte (PE) mixing ratio and salt addition on CS-PP interactions. A phase diagram revealed that salt moderated PE interactions, though coacervate formation was not achieved under the studied conditions. Insights from these studies informed the design of CS-PP macrobeads for antibiotic delivery, optimized by enhancing PP diffusion into CS droplets and adjusting salt levels. Additionally, superabsorbent hemostatic sponges were developed by chemically modifying CS with carboxyl groups to regulate PP release as a therapeutic agent for improved clotting. These sponges demonstrated enhanced blood absorption, controlled PP release, and significantly reduced clotting time. This work provides a deeper understanding of the CS-PP system, emphasizing its biomedical potential while addressing challenges in optimizing performance and functionality.