Fibers based on cellulose-chitin blends

摘要

Fibers made of cellulose (CE) and chitin (CH) in different proportion were wet spun from solutions in dimethylacetamide containing 5% LiCl (w/w). Polymer concentration was purposely maintained as low as possible (congruent to2.4% w/w). Moreover, dope temperature was 60degreesC to have good spinability. Comparison of the elastic modulus (E) of fibers "as spun" at different CE/CH ratio showed a synergy between the components: at CE/CH congruent to 50/50, E is congruent to15 GPa with respect to congruent to9 and congruent to11 GPa for neat CE and CH fibers, respectively. Application of a pull-off ratio during the coagulation allows the E value to increase further. These results, as well as the electronic microscopy of fibers section, agree with a complete miscibility of two polymers at the solid state, probably enhanced by the presence of LiCl. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc. [References: 18]