Carbon microspheres as network nodes in a novel biocompatible gel

The gelation of hydrophobically modified chitosan solutions can be accomplished through the incorporation of uniform carbon microspheres. The carbon particles act as nodes in the gel network where hydrophobic alkyl groups, attached to the polysaccharide backbone, interact with multiple carbon microspheres to form a three-dimensional matrix. Rheological characterizations show significant increases in elastic moduli upon incorporation of the carbon microspheres.