Amphoteric chitin with both amine and carboxylate groups were prepared by stepwise 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy-radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation and partial deacetylation of purified chitin. After homogenization and sonication treatment in water at pH 3 and 11, chitin nanocrystals were successfully fabricated. Under optimum conditions, prepared chitin nanocrystal had average length and width of about 544 nm and 10 nm respectively. This amphoteric chitin nanocrystal also exhibited pH dependent stability, highly stable when pH was 3 or 11while instable at pH 7. By immersing in saturated NaCl solution, physical crosslinked chitin nanocrystal hydrogel was fabricated successfully through the salting-out effect. Because the absence of any crosslinkers, chitin hydrogel also resisted amphoteric nature and was believed to be good candidates for biomaterial exploring.<br/>

Preparation of amphoteric chitin nanocrystals and its hydrogels

2019 Spring National Meeting

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