Creation of Novel Chitosan-Derived Polymeric Materials for Shock Absorption

Abstract

In this study, the author developed a novel flexible and biodegradable material by blending chitosan （CS） with a specially modified copolymer of poly （trimethylene carbonate） （PTMC）．To improve interactions within the blend, N-methyl-D-glucamine?functioning as a polyol?was grafted onto the PTMC copolymer, resulting in poly （TMC-co-TMC-glucamine） （PTTG）．This modification was designed to enhance hydrogen bonding between components. The CS/PTTG blend films were then prepared via solvent casting. To evaluate the chemical interactions and thermal properties of these materials, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR） and thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） were performed. The results showed noticeable shifts in wavenumber and a reduction in the temperature at which 10% weight loss occurred （T10）， indicating changes in chemical structure and thermal stability. In terms of mechanical performance, the addition of PTTG significantly enhanced the material’s strength and flexibility. The tensile strength increased to 16.0±2.6 MPa in the formulation containing 75% CS and 25% PTTG （CS75PTTG25）．Flexibility was also improved, reaching up to 55.9±6.6 MPa in a simple blend containing CS, the PTMC copolymer, and N-methyl-D-glucamine. The study also presents a detailed explanation of the mechanisms underlying these improvements, offering insights into the role of hydrogen bonding and polymer compatibility. Overall, the CS/PTTG blend films combine biodegradability with excellent mechanical properties, highlighting their promise for use in a variety of flexible material applications, including environmentally friendly packaging, biomedical devices, or shock-absorbing components.