A green strategy for extracting chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) was conducted by a facile two-step process to combine electron-beam irradiation (EBI) of chitin pulp in dry state and subsequent disintegration using high pressure homogenization (HPH), when compared to the conventional production by strong acid hydrolysis. The EBI-treatment proved a significant reduction in the degree of polymerization, whereas the carboxylate content was meaningfully increased by the oxidation of the primary alcohol in effective dosage ranges. The resulting ChNCs had the uniform width of 10−20 nm and the controllable length of 261−757 nm, respectively, indicating a rod-like shape, preserved crystallinity indices (CrI = 84−94%), anionic surface charge (absolute amounts of 32.0−36.7 mV), and comparable thermal stability (Td onset = 180−230 °C and Td max = 300−330 °C), similar to those of conventional ChNCs. To prove redispersibility after drying the EBI-treated ChNCs for storage and transport, the irradiated chitin pulp was counterionized with alkaline solution, disintegrated through HPH, neutralized with CO2, and spray-dried to obtain free-flowing and flour-like powder, which could be redispersed in water by simple stirring (24h), showing no irreversible particle aggregation. This simple and innovative approach offers a promising production process of ChNCs for green and sustainable characteristics.

Redispersible chitin nanocrystals extracted through electron beam irradiation followed by high pressure homogenization

2019 Fall National Meeting

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