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Nanostructurally Controlled Hydrogel Based on Small‐Diameter Native Chitin Nanofibers: Preparation, Structure, and Properties
Author(s) -
Mushi Ngesa Ezekiel,
Kochumalayil Joby,
Cervin Nicholas Tchang,
Zhou Qi,
Berglund Lars A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201501697
Subject(s) - nanofiber , chitin , crystallinity , self healing hydrogels , chemical engineering , materials science , nanoscopic scale , chitosan , silk , colloid , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , engineering
Chitin nanofibers of unique structure and properties can be obtained from crustacean and fishery waste. These chitin nanofibers have roughly 4 nm 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 3.0 wt % 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 (13 kPa at 3 wt %) and compression modulus (309 kPa at 2 wt %) are the highest reported for chitin nanofibers hydrogels.