CHITIN NANOWHISKER COMPOSITES AND METHODS

摘要

A composite includes particles of thermoplastic polymer coated with a chitinnanowhisker gel and melt-blended. The thermoplastic polymer may bepolystyrene,polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, or anotherthermoplastic polymer.A method of processing chitin includes forming a non-colloidal mixturesubstantially of chitinand hydrochloric acid to subject the chitin to hydrolysis; upon the mixturebecoming substantiallycolloidal, controlling conditions of the mixture to slow the hydrolysis; andproducing a gelconsisting substantially of non-agglomerated chitin nanowhiskers and water bysubjecting themixture to filtration and a process for reducing the amount of agglomeratedcrystalline chitin inthe mixture. A method of forming a composite of chitin nanowhiskers dispersedin athermoplastic polymer matrix includes coating thermoplastic polymer particleswith a chitinnanowhisker gel; and subjecting the coated particles to melt-blending therebyto form thecomposite.