Synthesis and study of thermosensitive hydrogels obtained by controlled chemical modification of chitosan

In this study, we report the synthesis of a thermosensitive hydrogel obtained by the controlled chemical modification of chitosan based on the grafting of chains of poly(propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) (POEP), which has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 32 degrees C in aqueous acidic condition. These systems are soluble in aqueous solution (pH < 6) and below the LCST, and develop hydrophobic interactions when the temperature increases leading to the formation of a tridimensional network. We present a part of the physical-chemistry studies which highlights this behaviour.