Rapid dissolution of β-chitin and hierarchical self-assembly of chitin chains in aqueous KOH/urea solution
Junchao Huang, Yi Zhong, Pingdong Wei, Jie Cai
Abstract
β-chitin allows for rapid penetration of solvent molecules, followed by swelling and dissolution. During neutralization, the chitin chains self-assembled into nanofibrils, and even the formation of hydrogels of crystalline α-chitin.
Topics & Concepts
ChitinDissolutionAqueous solutionUreaChemistrySelf-healing hydrogelsSwellingSolventPolymer chemistryChemical engineeringSelf-assemblyChitosanPenetration (warfare)MoleculeOrganic chemistryOperations researchEngineeringSupramolecular Self-Assembly in MaterialsPolydiacetylene-based materials and applicationsConducting polymers and applications