Exemplary ATR-FTIR spectra of CT (a), CT(2.2%)-TA (b), CT(2.2%)-PEG (c), CT(2.2%)-4Ph (d), and CT(2.2%)-PhS (e). The presence of Amide I (1650 cm−1), Amide II (1550 cm−1) and Ester (1730 cm−1) bands in functionalized, compared to native, CT confirms the formation of a covalent network via reaction of carboxylic terminations of selected bifunctional segments with amino and hydroxyl functions of CT, respectively.