Physicochemical Characterization of α-Chitin Whiskers-Reinforced Chitosan Nanocomposite Films

Chitosan is a chitin-derived biopolymer characterized by excellent bioactive properties, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. In addition, due to its high film forming capability, chitosan is emerged as a promising natural polymer for tissue engineering. However, its application areas can...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Polymer science. Series A, Chemistry, physics Vol. 64; no. 5; pp. 487 - 492
Main Authors:	Dahmane, E. M., Taourirte, M., Eladlani, N., Amarouch, M. Y., Mazouzi, D., Rhazi, M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01-10-2022
Subjects:	Chemistry Chemistry and Materials Science Natural Polymers Polymer Sciences
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Chitosan is a chitin-derived biopolymer characterized by excellent bioactive properties, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. In addition, due to its high film forming capability, chitosan is emerged as a promising natural polymer for tissue engineering. However, its application areas can be further extended by the improvement of its poor mechanical properties. In this context, the current work aimed to characterize the mechanical and physicochemical properties of α‑chitin whiskers-reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films (WRC-films). For this purpose, WRC-films were developed through the incorporation of an α-chitin obtained from Parapenaeus longirostris shrimp shells. Then, their physico‑mechanical properties, mainly the tensile strength and percentage of elongation at break, were compared with pure chitosan films (PC-films). The WRC-films showed an increased tensile strength, and a decreased percentage of elongation at break, compared to pure chitosan films. Altogether, these results plead in favor of the use of chitin whiskers as an additive in chitosan film matrix. In addition, to our knowledge this is the first report on the chitosan film reinforcement through the incorporation of the α-chitin extracted from the exoskeleton of Parapenaeus longirostris .
ISSN:	0965-545X 1555-6107
DOI:	10.1134/S0965545X22700304