Preparation of chitin nanowhiskers using an ionic liquid and their composite materials with poly(vinyl alcohol)

The preparation of chitin nanowhiskers using an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (AMIMBr) was performed. First, chitin was swollen with AMIMBr by soaking at room temperature, followed by heating at 100 degrees C. Soaking the resulting gel in methanol and subsequent sonication gave a chitin dispersion. The SEM image of the dispersion showed the formation of chitin nanowhiskers. Then, filtration of the dispersion was carried out to give a chitin film. Composite films of the chitin nanowhiskers with poly(vinyl alcohol) were prepared by a similar procedure to the chitin film. They were characterized by SEM and DSC measurements and their mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.