The effect of eggshell particles on the mechanical properties of epichlorohydrin crosslinked chitosan/eggshell composites had been studied. The content of eggshell particles in each composites was varied from 2.5 to 13.4% (w/w). The tensile strength was 60% improved, compared to the control chitosan. The composite with 13.4% (w/w) content of eggshell particles showed the optimum tensile strength. The XRD patterns exhibited the decrease in peak intensity of chitosan at 2q = 20 o due to the addition of epichlorohydrin as a crosslinking agent of chitosan and incorporation of eggshell particles to crosslinked chitosan. The peak intensity at 2q = 44 o was increased due to the addition of eggshell particles. Scanning elecron microscopy images confirmed the eggshell particles was dispersed into chitosan matrix.

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