Fabrication and characterization of chondroitin sulfate-modified chitosan membranes for biomedical applications

their higher mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, and better cell compatibility, are promising biomaterials for tissue engineering applications.

Fig. 7. The proliferation of GF cells on the surfaces of TCPS, CH/CS (90/10) and CH (100/0) (n ¼ 4, mean+S.D.). By using the freeze-gelation method, we successfully prepared the porous CH/CS composite membranes. The pore structure, mechanical properties, and water uptake of these membranes could be altered by varying the weight ratio of CH to CS. The two-step crosslinking method developed in this study increased the crosslinking efficiency to more than 90%. The addition of small amounts of CS increased the mechanical strength of the membranes. Among these membranes, the 90/10 membrane possessed higher tensile strength, appropriate hydrophilicity, and better biocompatibility. Therefore, it is a promising biomaterial for a variety of biomedical applications.