# Chitosan scaffolds with a shape memory effect induced by hydration.
> 水和によって誘発される形状記憶効果を持つキトサンスキャフォールド


## Abstract

Porous chitosan scaffolds were found to exhibit a shape memory effect activated by hydration. Two scaffold types were examined: non-crosslinked (CHT0) and genipin-crosslinked (CHT1). Characterization involved hydromechanical compressive testing and dynamic mechanical analysis conducted in water-ethanol mixtures of varying compositions. Dehydration via elevated ethanol content exploited the glassy nature of amorphous chitosan to lock in a temporary deformed shape. Subsequent exposure to water disrupted intermolecular hydrogen bonds, enabling large-scale chain mobility at the glass transition and restoring the original permanent shape. Shape fixity ratios exceeded 97.2% for CHT0 and 99.2% for CHT1, while recovery ratios surpassed 70.5% and 98.5%, respectively. In vitro drug loading experiments further demonstrated the potential of these scaffolds as biomaterial candidates for minimally invasive surgical applications and tissue regeneration.

### Mechanism

Ethanol-induced dehydration vitrifies the amorphous chitosan component, locking a temporary shape. Water addition disrupts intermolecular hydrogen bonds, triggering glass transition and restoring the scaffold's permanent shape through large-scale segmental chain mobility.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Correia CO, Mano JF
- **Journal**: J Mater Chem B
- **Year**: 2014 (2014-06-07)
- **PMID**: [32261594](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32261594/)
- **DOI**: [10.1039/c4tb00226a](https://doi.org/10.1039/c4tb00226a)
- **Study type**: in vitro study
- **Delivery route**: not specified
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 32261594. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/32261594
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [32261594](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32261594/)