The method to prepare microporous chitosan membrane by selective dissolution of its blend was evaluated. Two synthetic polymers, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were chosen to be the counterpart polymers. Results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) characterization, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements showed that there are special interactions between chitosan and the counterpart polymers. The pore structure induced by this method is controlled by the compatibility of the chitosan and the counterpart polymers. No pore structure was induced in the case of chitosan/polyvinyl pyrrolidone because of their molecule level miscibility and strong interaction. Highly porous structure was induced in the case of chitosan/polyethylene glycol because of their poor compatibility and multiphase structure. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.