Fragmentation of Chitosan by Acids

Table 2

The intrinsic viscosity, (𝜂), the viscosity-average molecular weight, 𝑀_𝑣, and the average number of chain scissions (𝛼) for the fragments prepared by hydrolysis of 1.0% chitosan with different HCl concentrations at 65°C for 5 h.

Chitosan sample	(HCl)  (M)	(η)  (dL/g)	𝑀𝑣  (kDa)	α
Original	—	25.86	1965	—
F11	0.10	20.20	1616	0.217
F12	0.25	10.92	991.5	0.982
F13	0.40	4.33	475.9	3.13
F14	0.40	4.98	531.7	2.70
F15	0.50	3.92	439.7	3.47
F16	0.50	3.54	405.5	3.85
F17	0.75	2.71	328.1	4.99
F18	1.00	2.29	287.0	5.85
F19	1.00	2.39	296.9	5.62