Photoreactable chitosan derivative have been prepared by introducing azido phenyl groups to amino groups of low molecular weight chitosan to facilitate the immobilization of growth factors. The prepared azidophenyl chitosan was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cytotoxicity of prepared azidophenyl chitosan derivative was confirmed by MTT assay. Cell culture on the surfaces coated azidophenyl chitosan derivative was also carried out and cell adhesion was observed between azidophenyl chitosan derivative and cells. And the released rate of protein from azidophenyl chitosan derivative was measured using albumin instead of growth factors for check on effect of the prepared azidophenyl chitosan derivative. As a result of that, relations among the concentration of azidophenyl chitosan derivative, releasing period of albumin and the quantity of released albumin was confirmed. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 3029-3037, 2010