Influence of macromolecules conformation of chitosan on its graft polymerization with vinyl monomers and the copolymer properties.

The conformational states of chitosan macromolecules in solutions and their influence on the "grafting from" polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidone on the polysaccharide and the properties of their copolymers are studied. The conformational transition of macromolecules coil-rigid rod and rigid rod-globule in aqueous acidic solution was established by spectrophotometric method. The coil-rigid rod conformation transition depends on pH, it is sensitive to temperature and doesn't depend on the molecular weight of chitosan.