Surface chemical study on the covalent attachment of hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan to titanium surfaces

► Hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) with a degree of substitution of 18% was synthesized. ► HACC was bonded to the surface of titanium foil by a three-step process. ► XPS and FT-IR were used for the surface chemical analysis, showing that HACC was successfully bonded to the surface of titanium foil. ► The HACC-modified titanium foil might have promising application in orthopaedics and other related fields.