Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers from Squid Pen β-Chitin by Simple Mechanical Treatment under Acid Conditions

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• 作者：Yimin Fan ; Tsuguyuki Saito ; Akira Isogai
• 刊名：Biomacromolecules
• 出版年：2008
• 出版时间：July 2008
• 年：2008
• 卷：9
• 期：7
• 页码：1919 - 1923
• 全文大小：4614K
• 年卷期：v.9,no.7(July 2008)
• ISSN：1526-4602

文摘

A procedure for preparing individualized chitin nanofibers 3−4 nm in cross-sectional width and at least a few microns in length was developed. The key factors to prepare the chitin nanofibers with such high aspect ratios are as follows: (1) squid pen β-chitin is used as the starting material and (2) ultrasonication of the β-chitin in water at pH 3−4 and 0.1−0.3% consistency for a few minutes. Transparent and highly viscous dispersions of squid pen β-chitin nanofibers in water can be obtained by this method. No N-deacetylation occurs on the chitin molecules during the nanofiber conversion procedure. Moreover, the original crystal structure of β-chitin is maintained, although crystallinity index decreases from 0.51 to 0.37 as a result of the nanofiber conversion. Cationization of the C2 amino groups present on the crystallite surfaces of the squid pen β-chitin under acid conditions is necessary for preparing the nanofibers.