Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T10:03:40.486Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cross-linked Chitosan and Poly(allyl amine) Thin Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

Caroline L. Schauer
Affiliation:
Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6910, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375–5348, U.S.A
Paul E. Schoen
Affiliation:
Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6910, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375–5348, U.S.A
Frances S. Ligler
Affiliation:
Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6910, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375–5348, U.S.A
Get access

Abstract

The alternation of chitin layers with various compounds allows nature to create novel materials with selective refractive properties. Various organisms employ layered materials for survival; for example, in butterflies such materials cause the apparent disappearance and reappearance during flight to evade predators. The selective light refraction is achieved through control of the thickness and index of refraction of the multiple layers. With the ultimate goal of reproducing these layers, thin single films of chitosan, the soluble form of chitin, and poly(allyl amine) have been prepared and their optical properties analyzed. Ellipsometry, reflectance IR, reflectance spectroscopy, SEM and software modeling were used to characterize these films. Possible applications for optical layered materials range from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Parker, A. R., McKenzie, D. R., Large, M.C.J., J. Exper. Bio. 201, 1307 (1998).Google Scholar
2. Parker, A. R., J. Exper. Bio. 201, 2343 (1998).Google Scholar
3. Land, M. F., in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, (Pergamon Press Vol. 24, New York, 1972) pp. 77106.Google Scholar
4. Schauer, C. L., Chen, M.-S., Chatterley, M., Eisemann, K., Welsh, E. R., Price, R. P., Schoen, P. E., Ligler, F. S., Thin Solid Films (2003) (in press).Google Scholar
5. Welsh, E. R., Schauer, C. L., Qadri, S. B., Price, R. P., Biomacromolecules 3, 1370 (2002).Google Scholar
6. Ligler, F. S., Lingerfelt, B. M., Price, R. P., Schoen, P. E., Langmuir 17, 5082 (2001).Google Scholar
7. Varum, K. M., Anthonsen, M. W., Grasdalen, H., Smidsrod, O., Carbohydrate Research 211, 17 (1991).Google Scholar
8. Hirai, A., Odani, H., Nakajima, A., Polymer Bulletin 26, 87 (1991).Google Scholar
9. Mima, S., Miya, M., Iwamoto, R., Yoshikawa, S., J. Appl. Poly. Sci. 28, 1909 (1983).Google Scholar
10. Shriver-Lake, L. C., in Immobilized Biomolecules in Analysis, edited by Cass, T., and Ligler, F. S., (Oxford University Press Vol. 1, Oxford, 1999) pp. 114.Google Scholar