Nanofibrillation of Dry Chitin Powder by Star Burst System

Abstract

Chitin nanofibers were prepared from dry chitin powder by nanofibrillation using a Star Burst instrument employing a highpressure water jet system. FE-SEM micrographs showed that the nanofibers became thinner as the number of Star Burst passes increased. Fibrillation in an acidic condition made the chitin fibers thinner than those in a neutral condition. The transmittance spectra of chitin nanofiber/acrylic resin composites led us to the same conclusion. In addition, chitin nanofibers prepared by treatment consisting of five Star Burst passes in the neutral condition were thinner than the previously reported nanofibers. X-ray diffraction profiles showed that the Star Burst system did not damage the chitin nanofibers and did not reduce their crystallinity.

Chitin and Chitosan Nanofibers: Preparation and Chemical Modifications

“…Nanofibers from Commercial Chitin Powder [26][27][28] For the preparation of NF, extracted chitin must be kept wet to avoid strong inter-fibrillar coagulation. However, this is a disadvantage for the commercialization of chitin NF.…”

Effect of purification method of β-chitin from squid pen on the properties of β-chitin nanofibers

“…The Star Burst system can convert -chitin and cellulose into their NFs by wet pulverization using a water jet [18]. This system uses only water without the need for additional acid, achieves much lower contamination, and has high throughput [19,20]. These advantages can reduce the barrier for use in medical supplies, cosmetics, and food.…”

Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles Loaded Chitin Nanofiber Composite

“…When blended with inorganic metals to prepare advanced hybrid organic-inorganic [7] composites they can have applications in electronics, electrical, optical devices and much needed solar energy production. Thus our group is actively engaged in developing chitin research to make a number of products from atomized or fibrillated chitin in the form of CNFs and its derivatives [8][9][10][11]. Chitin obtained from its natural resources is highly crystalline and most of it is chitin conformation though the contents of α-, β-, and γ-chitin depends on the source.…”

“…For atomization or fibrillation of 1 wt% wet chitin to CNFs three types of methods are being used and compared. A very recently developed [8] Star Burst atomization system which employed high pressure water jet system where slurry of chitin in high acetic acid medium is introduced in chamber of Star Burst system machine where it is fibrillated into NFs of width 18.0 -19.0 nm. Atomizataion occurred in this newly developed machine chamber by a very high speed rotating ceramic ball that throws out fine fibrillated NFs at extremely high pressure of 245 MPa through an outlet nozzle.…”

“…The two other common apparatus used for fibrillation are blender and grinder. The advantages of Star Burst system over blender or grinder for fibrillation have been described in article [8] published recently. In review article [9] molecular structure of chitin, hierarchical organization on the surface of crab shell exoskeleton and isolation from crab and prawn shell has been described.…”