Chitin filaments from dibutyrylchitin precursor: Fine structure and physical and physicochemical properties

Abstract

Chitin filaments obtained after alkaline hydrolysis of dibutyrylchitin (DBCH) precursor filaments were investigated. The morphological structure, fine structure, and selected physical and physicochemical properties were studied. The studies of morphological structure included the assessment of the cross-section profile, the length and developing index of the contour line of the cross sections, the appearance of spherolitical crystalline aggregations, and the existence of skin-core building. The appraisal of the fine structure comprised the recognition of the lattice crystal system and the parameters of the unit cell, the crystallinity degree and average lateral crystallite sizes, and the crystalline and amorphous orientation. The characterization of physical properties included the appraisal of density, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. In the area of physicochemical properties, swelling and dyeability were examined. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.