Chitosan-sheath and chitin-core nanowhiskers

Chitosan-sheath and α-chitin-core nanowhiskers (CsNWs) have been successfully generated by surface deacetylation of chitin nanowhiskers (CtNWs) in the never-dried state. Acid hydrolysis (3N HCl, 30 mL/g, 104 °C) of pure chitin derived from crab shell yielded 65% 4–10 nm thick, 16 nm wide and 214 nm long chitin whiskers (CtNWs) that were 86% crystalline and 81% acetylated. Surface deacetylation of CtNWs was robust in their never-dried state in 50% NaOH at a moderate 50 °C for 6 h, yielding 92% CsNWs. All deacetylated CsNWs retain the same α-chitin crystalline core at reduced 50% crystallinity and similar dimensions (4–12 nm thick, 15 nm wide, 247 long) as CtNWs, but reduced 60% acetylation reflecting the deacetylated surface layers. Progressive surface deacetylation was evident by the increased IP as well as increased positive charges under acidic pH and reduced negative charges at alkaline pH with increasing reaction time.