Nanostructurally Controlled Hydrogel Based on Small-Diameter Native Chitin Nanofibers : Preparation, Structure, and Properties

• Chitin nanofibers of unique structure and properties can be obtained from crustacean and fishery waste. These chitin nanofibers have roughly 4nm diameters, aspect ratios between 25-250, a high degree of acetylation and preserved crystallinity, and can be potentially applied in hydrogels. Hydrogels with a chitin nanofiber content of 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0wt% were successfully prepared. The methodology for preparation is new, environmentally friendly, and simple as gelation is induced by neutralization of the charged colloidal mixture, inducing precipitation and secondary bond interaction between nanofibers. Pore structure and pore size distributions of corresponding aerogels are characterized using auto-porosimetry, revealing a substantial fraction of nanoscale pores. To the best of our knowledge, the values for storage (13kPa at 3wt%) and compression modulus (309kPa at 2wt%) are the highest reported for chitin nanofibers hydrogels.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Chitin

Compression

Hydrogel

Nanofibers

Rheology

Acetylation

Aspect ratio

Compaction

Gelation

Pore size

Colloidal mixtures

Compression modulus

Crystallinities

Degree of acetylation

Fishery wastes

Nano-scale pores

Secondary bonds

Structure and properties

Hydrogels

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)