The aminated fullerene/chitosan blended membranes with novel ultraviolet-light-filtering properties have been prepared by mixing chitosan with fullerene ethylenediamine or ethanolamine derivative in a solution containing 2% acetic acid, then casting the mixture on a glass plate. The effects of fullerene-amine derivative and chitosan structures on light transmission properties of the blended membranes are investigated systematically. The fullerene derivative kind, aminated fullerene content and crosslinking degree of chitosan greatly affect their light-filtering properties, while deacetylation degree, molecular weight and carboxymethylation of chitosan only have slight influence. Further, a possible mechanism for the UV filtering property was discussed. The strong interactions, especially electron donor-acceptor occur in condensed state may play a significant role in the unique optical property. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.